Posted by joslynn on June 2, 2006, at 14:57:34 [reposted on June 3, 2006, at 1:56:39 | original URL]
In reply to You guys i need some advice on social skills, posted by rjlockhart on June 1, 2006, at 20:24:38
This will probably get moved to social, but here are some things that may help...
People LOVE to talk about themselves. Ask them questions about what they are studying in school, what music they like, dreams for the future, do they own pets? But don't just rattle these questions all of at once. Try to weave them into a conversation. Throw in your own opinion too, but first, get them to open up about their own likes and dislikes, hobbies, etc.
Try to listen to what people are saying, and then repeat back what they are saying as a question, in somewhat different words.
Example (coworker at gap): They're playing that stupid Britney Spears song on the loudspeaker again.
You: I guess you're not a fan.
Coworker: It's just commercial record company crap.
You: So you don't like what the major labels play?
Coworker: Yeah I like Indy Rock.
You: You mean, not so commercialized?
Coworker: Yeah like blah blah blah bands.
You: Oh, what kind of music do they play?
Coworker, Well, it's sort of a ska funk rap combination.
You: Oh. That sounds cool. I like rap. Where can I see some of these bands?
(And then that could lead to the other person inviting you to a concert one day, or at least recommending a CD. These conversations would most likely be spread out over time, not necessarily all in one afternoon.)
poster:joslynn
thread:652226
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20060527/msgs/652230.html