Conversation
Having a good conversation can spark a new friendship or help maintain an existing one. While conversational skills come easily to some people, there are some folks who find that they just don't know keep a conversation flowing. Luckily there are some ways that you can have good conversations without a great deal of effort.
Instructions
Have Good Conversations
1. Have something interesting to say. You can't expect to have a very good conversation if you constantly rely on the other person to talk or if you really don't have anything to say at all. Conversation should flow freely and comfortably. If it feels as though maintaining your end of the conversation is sheer torture, then you should try to recognize that you have viable points to make and that you can be as interesting as anyone else. If all else fails, rely on some funny stories you have that usually entertain people as conversation starters.
2. Find someone who can hold up his end of the conversation. You might be the best conversationalist around, but if the other person isn't truly engaged in the conversation then it's not going to be easy. You might be able to prompt someone into a decent conversation, but if you're looking for a good conversation and the other person is making the situation akin to pulling teeth, it might be better to find someone else to chat with.
3. Listen to what the other person has to say. A conversation should be an exchange between two or more people. You might have a lot to say, but if you don't let the other person interject then it becomes more of a monologue than a dialogue. You can also receive plenty of cues from the other person as to what she enjoys talking about--if you actually listen to what she has to say. Use those cues to steer the conversation into a direction that you will both find interesting.
4. Watch your body language. Don't allow your eyes to wander away when someone is speaking directly to you. Try not to fidget or look disinterested. Even if your words indicate that you're enjoying the conversation, your body language can say otherwise and make the other person uncomfortable.
5. Realize that good conversations can fluctuate. Some friends can have fantastic conversations that really don't have much words said at all. Don't try to make a conversation something it isn't. If the tone of the conversation seems subdued, but the conversation is still interesting and flows well, don't try to shift the tempo of the conversation to something more lighthearted just because you figure that's what defines a good conversation.
6. Know when the conversation is over. A good conversation can soon turn dull if it is drawn out past the point it should be. You should exit the conversation at the point when everything has been discussed that needs to be discussed.
