Talking With Friends

When you are talking to
friends: close friend, best
buddy, or social
acquaintance, certain follow-
up procedures are
important. It doesn't really
matter who the person is.

Try these pointers for a
successful verbal exchange:

1. Always get the other
person's name and always
give your name.



2. During the conversation,
use the other person's name
at least once.

3. Always try to connect with
the other person in some
common interest or bond.
This causes a feeling of
rapport.

4. Look the other person in
the eye. This doesn't mean
stare at the other person. It
means moving your eyes
within a triangle formed by
the width of the forehead at
the apex narrowing to the
mouth at the bottom of the
triangle.

5. Minimize focus on yourself
and keep the conversation on
the other person.

6. Ask open-ended questions
that can not be answered
with a "yes" or "no" to keep
the conversation rolling.

There are other aspects of
conversation that are also
universal. They are:

Smile, smile, smile, then
smile some more.


Be sincere.
Be complimentary when
the compliment is sincere.

Don't mumble.

Be enthusiastic and
positive.

Being able to carry on a
comfortable conversation
with a social acquaintance is
a matter of practice and
following these procedures in
communicating.

No matter how difficult it is
for you to carry on a
conversation with a social
acquaintance now, remember
that it does get easier with
practice.