Not everyone likes to chat about silly things. If you are quiet, you get this. However, others find it amusing and don’t find it significant. People may assume you are impolite or dislike them if you are not a chatterbox. This is not true.
You can learn ways to talk to people better and make friends. Talking well is a good thing. Even if you don’t need to talk all the time, knowing how to keep a talk going is helpful. If you want to talk but don’t enjoy talking, consider these simple strategies.
Here Are 7 Conversation Hacks That That Work Every Time
1. Ask them about themselves.
Most folks like to talk about their own life, even if they say they don’t. This is real, not just guesswork. When you let someone tell you their stories, they often love to chat a lot.
Smart people know that talking about yourself feels good, like getting yummy food or money. So, when you talk with someone, ask what they like to talk about and let them keep going. This makes them happy, so they will like talking to you more and like you better.
2. Try out mirroring.
The mirror technique is a handy trick for improving conversations. However, remember that mirroring should be done carefully; overdoing it might make the other person feel uneasy. Try to use it subtly, so it seems natural.
If you notice someone is quiet and reserved, match their level of quietness. On the other hand, if someone is lively and outgoing, adjust to their energy. If they have a unique way of speaking, you can mimic that a bit.
Doing it right, copying someone can make you seem real and like you get along. It shows you like the same stuff and has a good feel.
Read More: 7 ways that can help you improve your conversational skills
3. Ask interesting questions.
If you don’t know what to say, ask fun things. Asking how someone thinks or what they did makes talking more fun.
After all, who doesn’t enjoy sharing about themselves? Plus, asking questions is less likely to offend compared to sharing strong opinions.
If someone looks unhappy with your words, do not fight back. Just ask them why they are unhappy. This shows you care and want to understand. They can tell you how they feel. Maybe you learn something new!
4. Show a positive attitude when you talk about other people.
Think twice before you talk about others. Don’t spread mean things or make fun of them. This makes you look bad. Be nice, but don’t pretend everything is great. Watch who you tell things to.
If you complain about someone, they might think you’ll do the same to them. They might even say bad things about you too. So, don’t talk bad about old bosses in job talks. New bosses might think you’re not good to work with.
5. If you lose interest, repeat the final three words as a question.
You may occasionally lose your train of thought when speaking. Perhaps you just don’t want to converse, the other person is saying the same things over and over again, or the chat is uninteresting. You could feel trapped at times.
To fix this without upsetting the other person, try saying the last three words they said as a question. This makes it look like you’re listening and caring. It’s also good when you don’t agree but don’t want a fight.
6. Compliments always work.
This is one of the easiest ways to talk nice to people. Everyone likes to hear good things about them. When you say good stuff about someone, they usually like you more.
Saying nice things helps a lot, especially if you want people to be good to you. Lots of people want others to say they are good. Telling them they are good will make them like you.
Read More: How to start your conversation and impress your audience in less than a minute
7. Honesty is the best policy.
The best approach to create friends is to be authentic. Even when the truth is hard to hear, it helps people like you more. Telling the truth makes others trust you more than lying. Everyone wants to know what is real.
Friendships are built on being honest and true. Pretending to be someone else to make friends only works for a short time. It’s better to be yourself and answer questions honestly, even if it feels strange.
Tell your friends the good and bad things about them. Share your feelings, even the sad ones. Being honest makes people believe you and ask you for help.
If you feel shy or awkward talking to new people, remember these tips. They can help you start a talk and feel less scared.