by Kim Pinkney

Created on: October 22, 2009   Last Updated: October 24, 2009

Look Forward to Your Next Party Conversation

The holidays are fast approaching and with them parties: The office party, the home owner's association party, charity and business association parties, school parties, church parties, parties, parties, parties. Remember the good old days when a party featured loud music making conversation impossible? As we get into adult hood the party is a forum for networking, business opportunities, charitable planning and relationship building. Do you stay home and miss the opportunity for socializing, making business connections and networking to avoid the party conversation? Or do you attend and wonder why you went? Don't give up. Go to parties with a strategy for conversation. Make the most out of your opportunities to make connections with your colleagues, clients and friends. Leave the party feeling satisfied and exuberant.

The first principal of small talk is listening more, talking less. Really listen and follow the conversation. Squarely face those who are speaking. We all love to talk about ourselves. Ask others questions about what they like, music, sports, movies, or vacation spots. Add to the conversation with funny stories or comments. Come across as knowledgeable about the topic without seeming like a know it all. So keep it brief. According to countless conversation experts the best conversers are the ones who promote others to show their and interests while being interested in the topic.

Remember to focus on others rather than what you are going to say next. This way you can really listen to what the person is saying and give a thoughtful response. Listening to others validates their opinions and makes them feel liked and appreciated. Getting too interested can be a down fall because it can lead to Interrupting the speaker to make your point. Let each person finish speaking and then add your tidbit. The conversation is meant to be a pleasant entertainment not a life or death debate. Save the debate for your political campaign.

Drinking too much may cause the conversation to get out of hand. If the conversation gets sticky, get out. Excuse yourself to the rest room or for more food or drink. Be aware. Some will try to walk you into inappropriate conversations such as gossip or topics that are none of their business. Remember it is not your obligation to answer every question asked.

In light of the recession the most popular nosy question these days in general for business people is "How is business?" The polite and truthful answer for all businesses is: "business is business; we could always use more business."

Remember the party conversation is not an exchange of opinions and knowledge. It is more about learning what makes the other party goers tick. Learn about what interests them. You may have something in common. Once you have a common interest you have gained the foundation for a new friendship. Leaving a party with a new friend or two is satisfying and rewarding experience.

Go, have fun, make new friends with your new party conversation strategy.

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