For instance, if someone is hunched over with their arms crossed and a frown on their face, you might want to keep walking. However, if they are in a relaxed position and appear generally upbeat, they may be interested in talking to you. Even once the conversation gets going, you should continue to check out the other person’s body language to know if you should change topics or end the interaction.
You might say, “Hi, I’m Dan. I see you’re waiting for Mrs. Dorchester. Have you been waiting long?” Another great way to add to your introduction is by offering a genuine compliment, such as “I like your haircut. ”
Why is shaking their hand important? The moment you make contact with them your brains send out signals that enhance your bond. [5] X Research source
For instance, you might say, “So, Pam, what brings you here tonight?” right after the person tells you their name. Later, you might use their name again by saying, “What’s your favorite type of music, Pam?” To easily remember their name, connect their name to a characteristic you’ve learned about them. For example, you might think to yourself “Pam is wearing a purple sweater” or “Joe likes jazz. ”[6] X Trustworthy Source Edutopia Educational nonprofit organization focused on encouraging and celebrating classroom innovation Go to source
In general, make more eye contact when you are talking than when you are listening.
Open-ended questions usually start with what, how, or why, such as “How do you know Tabitha?”
You can paraphrase by saying something like “So, it sounds like…” or “If I’m hearing you right…”
Even if you feel nervous or don’t have the best self-esteem, try to come off as confident. Trying to back out of a conversation or coming off as fearful will make others want to leave the conversation early. If you’re nervous, fake it until you make it.
Show an interest in what they are saying by nodding or responding with comments like “Really?”
For example, if the two of you are waiting, you might casually say, “Gee, if I’d known the wait would be so long, I would have packed a picnic lunch. If you hear my stomach growl, forgive me. ”
For example, you might say, “I feel the same way!” or “How ironic? I grew up in a small town, too. ”
It would be considered inappropriate, for instance, to tell a person you just met that you are dealing with a troubling medical condition. [15] X Research source Don’t be afraid to show some vulnerability about subjects that naturally come up. This can help build trust. Sharing too much information all at once, though, can be off-putting.
For instance, even if things started to become awkward or quiet, it might be nice to make your exit by reminding the person of your connection. Say something like, “It was nice meeting you, Joy. I hope you think of me the next time you eat rocky road ice cream. ”
