conversation

[leila85]

I think we've all been through moments when getting other people to converse with someone feels like pulling teeth... So I'm just wondering what other people do in those moments? I don't know if this is the right place to ask this but when you want to talk to someone and keep conversation flowing, what do you find helpful?

[kowslip]

ermm yeh those moments are awkward at the best of times!
I often just smile a lot and maybe laugh a little - partly because of nervous tension, and partly because it calms the atmosphere, making it a bit more laid back.
Err other things i sometimes do is go " argggg my thoroat hurts" and feel my neck in pain, coz then usually they ask you what's wrong and then it gets the convo rolling about things.. Even if it doen't hurt, a little acting never hurt!
Complimenting is always a good one too,like if theres a silence, comment on their top, jewellry, new shoes?? etc.. depending on who it is. That often then leads to where they got it, and how much it was etc..oo and then they might return the compliment hehe, which in turn makes everyone feel good! yay.

[Madeleine]

Sharing a recent experience - it can be something like the movie you saw last night, your good/bad day at work, something funny that happened... it can hopefully then flow onto other things, so in my example movies, work/jobs, more funny stuff.
Although usually for me in this situation, saying anything seems like it's out of the blue but it's better than sitting in awkward silence for longer!
Asking open ended questions can help too (what are you doing for Chistmas? what do you think of... <insert current news event or something> ?)
What I usually do, however lame, is try and make a joke about the fact that no one is saying anything "well, this is riveting conversation" - although it sounds dumb and all people involved know it, it can help with the nervous tension that kowslip mentioned.

[Ryan Tiley]

You can break the tension with a joke, but if you have the sense of humour of a stone fish then that won't work. But you could give it a go.

You could say 'noisy in here isn't it?' maybe. If you're not confident enough for that you could try something more traditional. Ask what is the best movie they've seen recently. Ask them whether they follow any type of sport.

[Shocka]

goatse

[Fun Lovin' Criminal]

I never force conversation. If they're making it difficult to talk to them, I just stop. As long as you're relaxed and self-assured, sitting back and just enjoying the silence is fine. Then if you try again a few more times, and they still refuse to be 50% of the conversation, ditch them. It's not worth dealing with.

[kuju]

what the hell IS 'goatse" anyway>

[Fun Lovin' Criminal]

You don't want to know.

[Danae]

If it's just some random guy, I give up. No skin off my nose.







If it's a guy I like, I won't give up as easily. I try to play it cool, think of stuff to say. If we're both just really stuck, it's really awkward, and I feel like an ass :mrgreen: hehe

[Ryan Tiley]

Originally posted by kuju@Oct 26 2004, 01:23 AM
what the hell IS 'goatse" anyway>
First go here (work safe):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goatse.cx
Then, please ignore anybody who comes into a forum and says 'goatse'.