Conversation Tips & Topics to Keep You Comfortable and Engaging in Social Situations

Being forced to socialise with people you’re not comfortable with can be a daunting task. But with some preparation and a few tricks up your sleeve, you can ensure that these interactions are engaging, enjoyable and make you likeable to those around you. Here are tips and conversation topics to keep in mind:

Tips to keep yourself comfortable

1. Let the others do the talking: This is a classic rule that introverts live by, but it’s a great tip for anyone who wants to avoid talking to a specific person or just wants to take the pressure off themselves. Discover how much people love to talk when they have an attentive audience.
2. Ask questions: Continually asking questions is the key to keeping someone talking. This technique will maintain the flow of the conversation and show genuine interest in the other person.
3. Remember personal details: Small details that you can remember from a previous conversation can make you incredibly likeable to the other person. It will spark their enthusiasm and keep the conversation flowing.
4. Go to a place with food: Eating slowly will keep your mouth occupied and make the other person feel obligated to fill the silence.

Topics of Conversation:

1. Food: The menu in the place your are, can serve as a conversation topic as well as other restaurants to try.
2. The Covid Pandemic: This is a major topic of conversation with many sub-topics to discuss and pass the time. Almost everyone has a personal experience with the virus that can range from how they spent the lockdowns to how it affected them emotionally or physically.
3. Fitness and diets: Discussions about healthy living and diets are always popular, so feel free to chat about how you’ve started a healthier diet or how you’ve recently gained or lost weight.
4. Current affairs: Discussing current political affairs is always a good choice, especially if you’re worried about an upcoming economic or political crisis. Talk about how you are thinking of getting by by cutting down on nights out and spending time at home instead. Ask others their opinions for the future and how they think will manage it.
5. About yourself: It’s difficult to avoid talking about yourself at times, but if you’re feeling uninspired, try sharing your favourite books, shows, or movies and ask for others’ suggestions. Share a new recipe or cooking tip that you’ve discovered and find something from your everyday activities that you can relate to others.

In conclusion, when socialising with people, let them do the talking, ask follow-up questions and remember personal details. General topics such as fitness, diets and current affairs are always good choices. Keeping yourself informed on current events will ensure that you can follow the conversation. Lastly, when it comes to talking about yourself, try to share non-personal activities that everyone can relate to. With these tips and conversation topics in mind along with the tips we shared in a previous article, you’re sure to have a successful and less painful social experience.