Benoit Tardiff
Speaking of conversations, the other day in a New York Times’ new feature called “Here to Help,” came this offering: HOW TO HAVE MORE ENGAGING EVERYDAY CONVERSATIONS.
Wow! The New York Times has spoken! I guess I don’t have to offer any more tips now do I?
I’ll link to the article at the bottom of this column, but here is the opening of their story:
” Ask people what they miss most about college, and many will mention something similar: the intellectual stimulation of living near hundreds of thousands of potential friends, studying physics, psychology and literature, with the time to talk over a meal or some drinks late into the night. But there are ways to keep that conversational spirit alive no matter where you are. Here are three pieces of advice.
- Unite around a common interest
- Be friendly, open and polite
- Don’t overthink it “
I want to add these most excellent convo kickstarters from my friend Nick O’Connor, lines he says he heard Spalding Grey try out:
- What do you do for fun?
- What happened to you on the way over here?
So as I head to a college reunion in Middletown, Connecticut, I’ll leave you this link to the Times column and make sure that as I walky the old campus I talky into the night with me old college chums…
www.nytimes.com/2016/10/18/well/tips-engaging-conversation.html
Until then, talk with me
I used one of Nick’s (Spalding’s) lines just last night in Sacramento. I was in a pub attending a Science Café called Science Distilled. I found a seat at a table with a couple of nice looking people, I ordered a beer and a pub burger and then I introduced myself and asked them what they liked to do for fun besides attend science cafés. Turned out to be a very interesting evening and I will look for Rich and Jennifer next month.
Thanks!
May i also suggest three other conversation questions?
– What brings you here?
– Can you suggest a fine movie?
– Where do you want to travel to next?
These often work for me.
Thank you, 2017 friend. These work just as well now. luv, 2022