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Things
to Avoid in Conversation
by Gloria Liven
When you're on a date, you want to make sure you avoid any of these rude
conversation killers.
Don't interrogate
Your questions should be open-ended and related to what the person is
talking about; don't just shoot off random yes/no questions! Be patient
and ask questions related to what they've talked about, and it will show
that you're listening and you're interested in them.
Don't brag
No one wants to sit and listen to someone else brag. Instead, make sure
the other person gets to talk about their interests too. Be interested
in them, not yourself.
Don't Hijack
the Conversation
Conversations naturally smoothly switch topics. Don't interrupt and change
the topic out from under someone else. If someone says, "I had the
best weekend, I visited my friend in California", don't respond with,
"Really, I had a good weekend too, I'll tell you all about it, first..."
That would be hijacking the conversation they started! Wait until they
are done to continue with your topic.
Don't interrupt and monopolize
Be patient and let the other person talk, and make sure you aren't monopolizing
the conversation. If you talk over the other person, or don't pause to
let them talk too, it'll be a very one-sided conversation.
Don't be a
know-it-all
Even if you think your opinion is right and the other person is way off,
correcting them or not listening to them constantly is rude. Compromise
and let things slide. Give them their say and let some things go for the
sake of the conversation.
Don't shut
down the conversation
If someone says something, don't respond with "I already knew that",
"That's stupid", "It doesn't matter" or other such
statements. That totally shuts down what the person was saying and adds
nothing to the conversation.
I saw a great example
of this happen at a camping trip with friends, when one guy mentioned
getting his lip pierced, and a girl said "Piercings are gross."
When he asked why, she said, "Because they are".
A more appropriate response would have been, "I'd be scared to get
a facial piercing because I've heard they have a high rate of infection.
I wonder, could you drool food out while you ate?"
This opens up a possibility for conversation instead of shutting it down.
Related Links on Dating & Conversation:
How
to Ask a Girl Out for a Date
Free/Cheap/Inexpensive Date Ideas
Get Him to Ask You Out
25 Questions to Ask A Date
Tips for Good Conversation when on
a Date
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