Are you guilty of practicing one of the 7 sins of small talk? They are so easy to do, seem so unimportant, but whenever we put them into action, we immediately place a damper on the talking relationship that we have with the other person. So, what are the 7 Sins of Small Talk ?
1. Interrupting the person that is talking.
Interrupting an individual in mid-sentence, not only derails the other person's line of thought, it can make it complicated for them to keep on past the interruption.
2. Hogging the 'small talk ' platform.
Though we can have riveting conversations with ourselves, grabbing all the conversation shows no effort, on our part, to engage the other person. Building a significant speaking relationship needs give and take between you and the other person.
3. Appropriating the other person's experience.
Sometimes, somebody will grab a talking partner's experience, and interject their own story. A chum of mine was asked about her current hiking trip. She had hardly started her story when the other person snapped the words 'hiking trip ' out of her mouth and then, went on to upstage her by filling in details about his personal hiking experiences.
4. Questioning your speaking partner.
While asking questions inspire dialogue, asking too many questions one after the other in fast succession, can put your talking partner on the defence. If they feel interrogated, they may doubtless leave you sooner, rather than later on.
5. Providing one word answers.
Have you ever attempted talking with someone that replies with merely a word? How's the new job? Fine. What did you have for lunch? Tuna. Where did you go for lunch? Tim's. While there isn't a lot wrong with the infrequent one word, or awfully brief reply, neither one contributes to finding commonly shared ground on which to build a talking relationship.
6. Chatting with food in your mouth.
When an individual asks us a question and we have food in our mouth, we can recognize the questioner with a mild motion of our hand meaning that we have something in our mouth. Finish our gnawing; swallow and then talk.
7. Arguing or debating?.
While some of us like verbal sparring, it is best left for when we should fight antagonistic takeovers, not when we are attempting to join in 'agreeable ' small talk.
Avoid those deadly seven sins of small talk and you will soon develop a reputation for being a brilliant conversationalist!
1. Interrupting the person that is talking.
Interrupting an individual in mid-sentence, not only derails the other person's line of thought, it can make it complicated for them to keep on past the interruption.
2. Hogging the 'small talk ' platform.
Though we can have riveting conversations with ourselves, grabbing all the conversation shows no effort, on our part, to engage the other person. Building a significant speaking relationship needs give and take between you and the other person.
3. Appropriating the other person's experience.
Sometimes, somebody will grab a talking partner's experience, and interject their own story. A chum of mine was asked about her current hiking trip. She had hardly started her story when the other person snapped the words 'hiking trip ' out of her mouth and then, went on to upstage her by filling in details about his personal hiking experiences.
4. Questioning your speaking partner.
While asking questions inspire dialogue, asking too many questions one after the other in fast succession, can put your talking partner on the defence. If they feel interrogated, they may doubtless leave you sooner, rather than later on.
5. Providing one word answers.
Have you ever attempted talking with someone that replies with merely a word? How's the new job? Fine. What did you have for lunch? Tuna. Where did you go for lunch? Tim's. While there isn't a lot wrong with the infrequent one word, or awfully brief reply, neither one contributes to finding commonly shared ground on which to build a talking relationship.
6. Chatting with food in your mouth.
When an individual asks us a question and we have food in our mouth, we can recognize the questioner with a mild motion of our hand meaning that we have something in our mouth. Finish our gnawing; swallow and then talk.
7. Arguing or debating?.
While some of us like verbal sparring, it is best left for when we should fight antagonistic takeovers, not when we are attempting to join in 'agreeable ' small talk.
Avoid those deadly seven sins of small talk and you will soon develop a reputation for being a brilliant conversationalist!
About the Author:
A skilled and prize-winning speaker, Dorothea Hendriksbrings you presentations, keynotes, coaching and workshops that engage, entertain and inform. Some say her keenness is a tonic.Dorothea's expertise is teaching folk the right way to connect, communicate and develop working relationships. Whether or not you are talking to a large group, or having a one-on-one conversation, her focus on the soft skills of communication, perspective, interpersonal, networking, and conversational development for positive outcomes which will build sales and promote careers.A successful entrepreneur, Dorothea focuses on helping you go beyond your private barriers, through public presenting, presentation methods, to successfully traverse your networking events with poise, grace and results.
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