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Yes. How does one do it?

And I mean outside the realm of:

"Oh, hello!"
"Hi!"
"How are you?"
"I'm fine!"
"Done anything recently?"
"Not much. You?"

And so on, until you realise a desire to gnaw off your own arm, and use it to beat yourself over the head repeatedly.

Reply 1

Ditzy

1

I think the idea is to find common interests and discuss

Reply 2

Johnny 5

OP

12

And as to starting one? I usually just hover until they do it for me.

Reply 3

Ditzy

1

2 5 +

And as to starting one? I usually just hover until they do it for me.

Dunno, to be honest I do the same :biggrin:

Reply 4

fordeletionpurposesonly.

I find that if you're talking to strangers and are in a different situation (ie: on the first day of uni queing for ID cards or something) - the best way to start talking to people is just to comment about the having to queue for everything, or ask someone if this is the right place... just a little thing, then you go into talking about it and from then on you're having a conversation.

I just spose that having a conversation is asking questions and answering them in return...?

Reply 5

jd27

2 5 +

And as to starting one? I usually just hover until they do it for me.

Don't worry about it, because even the most forced of conversations can quickly develop. think about what you talk with your friends about, and how often that starts with something entirely different.
As a general rule i'd talk about interests - ask about books/films/music/tv/weird tribal customs and ritual dismemberment etc. when you find something you both like/hate discuss it mercilessly until:

a) you move on to something else naturally
b) you don't, at which point move onto another film/book etc.

Don't worry that you can't talk to everyone - it's a question of compatability and you can't get on brilliantly with everyone. And don't be nervous - strange command as it doesn't exactly help if that's the problem, but the more you focus on yourself, your performance, how funny you are etc. the harder it is to engage with someone. Try and take yourself out of yourself and (if you can) relax.

Reply 6

Mad_Monkey59

2

2 5 +

Yes. How does one do it?

And I mean outside the realm of:

"Oh, hello!"
"Hi!"
"How are you?"
"I'm fine!"
"Done anything recently?"
"Not much. You?"

And so on, until you realise a desire to gnaw off your own arm, and use it to beat yourself over the head repeatedly.

well converstion doesn't make itself... it usually helps if you have something interesting to say... so instead of

done anything recently

nope, u?

try

yeah actually I went to 'x' last night, im going to see 'y' tomorrow, I brought 'z' yesturday.... etc, then if the other person replies simply with

'cool'

then its their fault the convo ended and you may classify them as crap, and take your enlightened ass elsewhere.

just my 2 cents

Reply 7

jd27

Another option: I usually start conversations by telling people embarassing/stupid stories about embarassing/stupid thing that I or my friend have done. If you really can't think of anything, or have what my friends describe as 'social shame' and would rather not make a fool of yourself in front of strangers, you can always make one up..

Reply 8

Johnny 5

OP

12

Ironically, this thread was really just a way of making conversation.

Reply 9

idiopathic

15

2 5 +

Ironically, this thread was really just a way of making conversation.

So.. wot u bn up2?

Reply 10

Alaric

10

jd27

Another option: I usually start conversations by telling people embarassing/stupid stories about embarassing/stupid thing that I or my friend have done. If you really can't think of anything, or have what my friends describe as 'social shame' and would rather not make a fool of yourself in front of strangers, you can always make one up..

How is making one up and telling them going to give any different impression than telling them about a real one?

I vary drastically with tiredness and so on for the amount I talk, sometimes I'll hardly say anything and other times I'll blather and nobody can stop me. Then again some people are just so quiet that I either monologue entirely or nothing is said at all, they're rubbish.

A.

Reply 11

Madelyn

13

so now you know how to do it.

Reply 12

trixx

11

I thuink starting conversations is a lost art. Have you ever been stood at a bus stop or somewhere with an elderly person and had them start a conversation? They are skilled at it. It doesn't come that easi;y to this generation.

Reply 13

jd27

Alaric

How is making one up and telling them going to give any different impression than telling them about a real one?

Missed out a minor point about making up a story about a friend. But a made up story can be easier to tell than a true one, as you may feel less self-conscious and uneasy since its less personal. and how much of an impression its going to make... well, it depends on the story and the manner of telling it. after all, if you tell the most embarassing story in a charming/funny way, it can improve your stock. on the other hand, a story about how you routinely visit africa to provide food and medical treatment to starving children could lose you stock if told in the wrong tone..

Reply 14

Blue Bliss

6

In a specialist shop: talk about something specialist. Eg, I met a girl in Forbidden Planet, and she was looking at a dvd that had just come out. And I commented on how I was glad that it had finally come out in the UK, and she agreed. And bam. Conversation topic.
At school/uni: talk about how much the last lesson/lecture sucked
After a movie: discuss movie
Meeting up outside: talk about how **** your journey was
Generally approaching a total stranger like in a bar or whatever: Make a comment you noticed about him or her. Hair, clothes, what they're drinking.

Its not too complicated XD

Reply 15

MrColin

1

Best Chat up Line is "SO your a girl"

Or you can just talk about something random say 'giraffes'

Reply 16

Blue Bliss

6

Talk about bacteria.

About friendly bacteria.

Reply 17

caffecooki

10

i hate one sided convos when someone starts one up with you, and then when you ask any questions they give you one word answers :mad:

what's the point?! :confused:

Reply 18

black_mamba

14

A social event last night was completely filled up with people telling increasingly stupid stories of drink-fuelled stupidness. I'm getting really bored of it, anyone else? :rolleyes:

Reply 19

Luize

13

black_mamba

A social event last night was completely filled up with people telling increasingly stupid stories of drink-fuelled stupidness. I'm getting really bored of it, anyone else? :rolleyes:

Yeh I don't see the point of telling people drunken stories. If I do something stupid I might tell maybe a good friend the next day if they ask. But other than that why would you, it's just embarressing and showing stupidity.

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