Hello,
Today we are continuing our series in reviving the art of conversation. Last time we looked at how to be a good listener. Today we are going to look at how to carry a conversation.
We all know how we can have a good conversation and a bad one. A good conversation is when two people exchange topics interchangeably, with little pause in the flow of conversation. As the conversation is exchanged, mutal feelings of being loved, cherished, and important are felt or even spoken. More is learned about the other persons character, and you have the opportunity to share your heart.
However, in a bad conversation, little is exchanged other than the everyday clinches of salutations. And you wonder what you could have done differently.
Unfortunatly, the art of conversation does not have any specific steps to learn to have a great conversation with everyone. Learning to converse with others is a learned art. Some are naturally better at conversing than others. However, this does not mean that those who are not blessed with the gift of communication should not try to learn techniques and skills to help them engaged in conversations better.
So here are my tips to help keep a conversation flowing
- Avoid yes or no questions or questions that you know will elect a one word answer, such as “How’s it going?” Instead, ask “How’s your day going?” from which the person can choose how to answer.
- Glean from their answer from the first question, to how to carry the conversation to the next topic. For instance if they serenaded, “Not having a great day today,” you can ask why, and sympathize with them. Or if they say, “I am having a great day, my family is coming to visit,” then you have the opportunity to relate to how wonderful it is to have relatives together.
- Allow the person you are conversing with to finish their thoughts and news. As you are trying to learn about their life, try not to shift the conversation to yourself, focus on the other person.
- Also, when someone tries to initiate a conversation with you, try to keep the other person involved as well. If you talk about your family coming for a visit, for example, inquire about the other person’s family. This will show that there is equal respect between you and the other person.
Alright, that is all for now. Next time we will learn how to end a conversation gracefully and politely.
Until then,
Au revior,
Alyssa