Читать книгу A Smart Girl's Guide: Manners (Revised) - Nancy Holyoke - Страница 22

conversation

Break the ice

You may be shy. You may have nothing to say. But if you stand silently

beside another person, how is she to know you’re not just unfriendly?

Ask some questions: “When did you move in?” “Who’s your teacher?”

The more she talks, the more relaxed you’ll both feel.

Take turns

A conversation is like a tennis match. You say something. The other

person takes your thought and bops back one of her own. That’s how

it goes: back and forth, back and forth. If one or the other holds on

to the ball and starts talking nonstop, the game’s over.

Listen

We all like a good listener because she makes us feel that our thoughts

and feelings matter. If you want to become a better listener:

• Encourage the other person to talk by asking questions.

• Let her know you’ve heard what she’s said by commenting on it.

• Don’t always switch the subject back to yourself.

Don’t interrupt

Wait till the other person stops talking before you start. If you want

to drive somebody crazy, interrupting is a good way to do it.