5 Important Things You Need To Remember If You Want To Make A Remarkable Conversation

We spend so much of our time trying to make an impression on people. And what they say is clichéd but true, first impressions are usually lasting. So the next time you are striking up a conversation with a stranger you want to befriend or impress, remember these five tips to make sure you leave them with a remarkable conversation and a lastingly positive impression…

1. Be a 100% there when they talk

Most of us may be great talkers, but many of us are bad listeners.^[1] We are so involved in what we are going to say next that we basically stop paying attention to what the other person is saying and our body language consequently turns to one of impatience or disinterest. We might start tapping our hands or feet, turn slightly away from the person. When the other person is talking, remember to listen and make eye contact. This tells the person that you are interested in what he or she has to say, and it will make for a remarkable conversation.^[2]

2. Remember the details they mention

A good listener actually listens and stores interesting tidbits for the next conversation. Maybe the person you were talking to mentioned how he was taking up a new hobby, or how her daughter is due for her SATs. Remember the name of the person, where they are from and where does their family live. Remember their children’s names or pet’s name the next time you meet them; they’ll be happy to see how much of an impression they made on you.

3. Fill in awkward pauses with interesting and personal questions

Sometimes, after a particularly anecdotal story, there is a lull in the conversation. Don’t let this pause get awkwardly long. Instead of talking about generalities or even the weather, ask them a personal question – like where they are from, or how are they adjusting to their current location, or maybe even when and where was their last vacation? A directed and personal question brings about fresh conversation as well as new directions of where to take a remarkable conversation next.

4. If you sense a little boredom, ask them for their opinion

Even the best of conversationalists might ramble and bore the other person a bit. If you sense or see a slight disinterest radiating from the other person, ask them for their opinion on a generality. Giving them an opportunity to speak will make for a remarkable conversation. You don’t have to ask them to state their opinion on say the political scenario of Africa; rather ask them a simple opinion on the latest blockbuster they watched, or which of Paulo Coelho’s books have they found the most interesting and why. And once they start talking, remember point one – listen and remember the tiny details that emerge.

5. Finally, pay them a true and unique compliment

The person you are talking to might have met plenty of new faces that day, and he or she won’t necessarily remember what you talked about or said to him/her. But people really tend to remember how you made them feel. Leave the other person on a high with a smile on their face; you can do this by paying them a heartfelt and unique compliment. If you call a model beautiful or an entrepreneur successful – you are paying them a generic compliment they might have become immune to. Instead tell them about how their eyes smile before they do, or how they have the ability to make people feel at home by just smiling at them. If you leave them feeling good about themselves, then you truly have had a remarkable conversation. ^[3]

These are five easy guidelines to follow that will help you become a good conversationalist who people want to talk to…

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