book1 unit3 after-class reading 2 : How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere

The ability to talk well is one of the greatest pleasures in life and can bring with it some of life's greatest rewards. It is not always easy. But the more you work at it, the easier it will become. There are six basic things to keep in mind if you wish to be able to talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere.


First of all, you don't have to be quotable. Most of the time, people are not expecting deep words of wisdom from you. They will not be waiting to record what you say. Therefore, just open your mouth and start talking. Hopefully it will be interesting enough for people to listen.


Secondly, the right attitude ---- the will to talk ---- is essential to becoming a better talker. Try to be enthusiastic about talking with people. They will respond positively to your enthusiasm and you will find that you really do become enthusiastic. On the other hand, it is easy for others to notice if you have no enthusiasm for talking with them, and they, in turn, will respond negatively.


A third point to remember is that you should take turns. Careful listening makes you a better talker. Also good follow-up questions are the mark of a good conversationalist. One way everyone learns is by listening. The more you learn, the better prepared you are to be a good conversationalist. 


A fourth essential point is that you should try to broaden your horizons. The best conversationalists are able to talk about issues and experiences beyond their daily lives. You can expand your world through travel, but you can also do it without leaving your own home. Of course, you can learn from reading. However, an essential thing to remenber is that people with backgrounds different from your own can broaden your conversational material and your thinking.


A fifth point to remember is that you should not keep your conversation too serious for too long. A sense of humor is helpful and you can lighten a conversation by sometimes telling a joke about yourself.


Last, you should be genuine when in conversation with others. You should be as open and honest with your conversation partners as you would want them to be with you. You should be willing to reveal what your background is and what your likes and dislikes are. That is an essential part of the "give-and-take" of conversation, part of getting to know people, and their getting to know you. Just be honest about yourself, and you won't go wrong.


Whether you're talking to one person or many, the rules are the same. It's all about making a connection. Show empathy, enthusiasm and a willingness to listen, and you can't help becoming a master of talk.


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anytime
background
broaden
connection
conversational
conversationalist
dislike
empathy
enthusiasm
enthusiastic
essential
expand
genuine
hopefully
horizon
humor
issue
lighten
negatively
partner
positively
quotable
respond
reveal
reward
secondly
talker
willingness
wisdom


broaden one's horizons / mind
go wrong
in turn
make a connection
on the other hand
take turns