tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725106142359702200.post7409621978866052252..comments2024-03-28T06:32:27.436+13:00Comments on No Kidding in NZ: Small TalkMalihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03928262526502319303noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725106142359702200.post-34760595335634425892012-09-07T07:40:38.492+12:002012-09-07T07:40:38.492+12:00As one of those socially awkward types, who has sp...As one of those socially awkward types, who has spent time reading in the online ALI community, I am pleased to say that I have (finally) developed a filter to prevent me from asking people if they have kids. So, take heart - progress can be made!areyoukiddingmehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16107214079237461141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725106142359702200.post-21123968715674977402012-09-05T15:23:15.987+12:002012-09-05T15:23:15.987+12:00We can do only so much - if we're interrogatin...We can do only so much - if we're interrogating people, then they're not contributing. If you're the one making all the effort in a conversation, it's time to find another conversation partner! Malihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03928262526502319303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725106142359702200.post-87002234272285053112012-09-05T15:21:57.193+12:002012-09-05T15:21:57.193+12:00All I can suggest is being prepared with a few top...All I can suggest is being prepared with a few topics of conversation, and a few appropriate questions. So even if you freeze, you can hopefully get other people doing all the talking.<br /><br />You know, there's nothing wrong with preparing for social events. It helps. I used to be shy. (Still am depending on the situation). And I used to be a diplomat - so been there with all the social events/cocktail parties, chatting to people from different cultures, all levels of society etc. And the one thing I remember - it definitely got easier with practice.Malihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03928262526502319303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725106142359702200.post-90063295504506672512012-09-05T06:27:36.714+12:002012-09-05T06:27:36.714+12:00Beautifully written. Beautifully written. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725106142359702200.post-12520878263887864272012-09-04T04:10:56.562+12:002012-09-04T04:10:56.562+12:00Here in Finland the safest small talk topic is THE...Here in Finland the safest small talk topic is THE WEATHER! :-D He he he he...Not enough snow, too much snow, yucky summer, not-too-cold winter, etc. etc. etc. <br /><br />GREAT tips on small talk, though. I used to suck at breaking the ice or even trying to break the ice (I was too passive and I preferred someone else doing it for me rather than taking the initiative), but I think I've learnt to be better in that area, esp. due to necessity (moving to Finland requires me to be bolder in making a move in order to make friends). :-)Amelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16792921371964029469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725106142359702200.post-37157991464058656632012-09-04T00:31:04.823+12:002012-09-04T00:31:04.823+12:00But what about those who freeze in social situatio...But what about those who freeze in social situations? I do that way too often- or offer irrelevant and sometimes inappropriate info.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5725106142359702200.post-89967085926445852902012-09-03T20:06:07.952+12:002012-09-03T20:06:07.952+12:00"And the key is to ask questions to learn abo..."And the key is to ask questions to learn about the person you’re talking to."<br /><br />I know this one! But do you have tips on how to NOT feel like you're interrogating someone? Seriously? I love it when conversations flow back and forth equally. I love this more than I can describe. But when they're NOT flowing, and I'm asking questions, and asking questions . . . I feel like I'm just being nosy! Its hard to expand on minimum info, so just ends up being another question<br /><br />Good advice on the 'current events'. I find StirrupQueens has some interesting 'current events' perspectives that encourage me to look up more of whats going on in the world. And of course, the good old newspaper . . .Stinkyhttp://www.beyondtheparentheses.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.com