The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills -- and Leave a Positive Impression!

First, I told something about myself,

The best dating advice I’ve heard lately is from a man who never asks for a date the first time he calls or e-mails. He exercises patience and waits until the second or third contact. Even then, he tries to suggest something that he might do with any friend, like a bike ride or a gallery tour. This approach takes a little longer, but it builds real

25. Skiing here is always challenging. What are some of your favorite places to ski? 26. Who would star as you in a movie about your life? Why that person? 27. Who is the most famous person you’ve met? 28. Tell me about some of your New Year’s resolutions. 29. What’s the most antiestablishment thing you’ve ever done? 30. Describe a costume that you wor

His trademark is that he will always relate all of his accomplishments.

learn another person’s name, you are expressing a sincere interest in that individual that will be warmly received.

• How did you two meet? • How did you get started ______? • What got you interested in this area? • When did you first know you wanted to be a ______?

Try some sensitivity before you blurt out opinions. My

If, for whatever reason, you cannot remain focused on what the speaker is saying, excuse yourself.

way. If someone has a difficult name, make the effort to learn it—do not shorten it to a nickname without permission! It makes me crazy when someone shortens my name to “Debbie.”