Queen of Conversation - How to Start a Conversation with a Stranger, Part 2,8-13-09

Newsletter, August 13, 2009

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In This Issue ...
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1. Quotation of the Week
2. Conversation Tip of the Week
3. Now It's Your Turn
4. Words of the Week
5. Humor from My House
6. More Goodies: Website Reminder

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1. Quotation of the Week

"If I had learned anything by hanging out with her and her friends,
it was that once you got up close to people, you realized that
everyone--no matter how popular he or she might be--was just a
living, breathing, human being complete with zits and bad breath
and ketchup stains on their shirts and all that other stuff that makes
them human."
-Robin Palmer, Geek Charming*
* I can't believe I loved this book for teen girls, but I did. Its snobby
main character is funny in her clueless way. Did I hear someone say
"movie rights"?

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2. Conversation Tip of the Week

How to start a conversation with a stranger, Part II
You can read part I in the last newsletter by clicking here.
Several of these conversation starters are good for friends, too.
Comment on something around you.

And if you can, or if it's appropriate, add something personal
about it. Revealing something personal takes a conversation
from a superficial level to a deeper one.

If you're in a market checkout line, magazine covers offer lots
of topics.

"I see that Michael Jackson is still in the news. His death
affected me more than I expected. I was sad for days."
"I felt sorry for the guy because..."
"I felt ambivalent about him because..."

Follow-up questions:

"What are your thoughts about Michael's passing?"
"Where were you when you heard the news?"

To someone holding a shopping bag:
"I see you've been shopping at the Apple store. I like going there
too because..." Or "Isn't technology incredible? I'm constantly
amazed that someone calls my cell phone, and it rings. How does
it know where I am? "

"Isn't it a great day? I just love days like this because...."

Follow-up questions:

"What's your favorite kind of day?"
"What has been the highlight of your day so far?"

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3. Now It's Your Turn

"Where-were-you-when..." questions can apply to sorts of national
events: elections and deaths of presidents, 9/11, epic weather....
Try these questions on your friends:

Where were you on 9/11? Were you glued to the TV? If you
watched the planes fly into the towers over and over, what
effect did it have on you? Did it amp up your fear, or did it
answer your questions?
What was your life like the week after
9/11?
Do you think you'll personally be affected by terrorists?

I was scheduled to fly to Africa on 9/11, and my phone started
ringing at 4:30 am, Hawaii time. Finally at 6:30, I answered.
Needless to say, my Africa trip was off. It was a good thing
because my rafting group was robbed on the banks of the
Zambezi River. One smart rafter buried her Rolex in the sand
and dug it up the next day.

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4. Words of the Week: "Coming events"

Beware: short rant ahead.
Use "coming events" instead of "upcoming events." "Upcoming" is
an unnecessary word that makes me want to up throw.

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5. Humor from My House

Gaelyn: "If I've told you once, I've told you a million times, don't
wash my whites with colors."

Tracey: "If I've told you once, I've told you a million times, don't
exaggerate."

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6. Check Out My Blog on...

Communication Skills: A Funny Lesson on How NOT to Use PowerPoint

You can subscribe at the bottom -- down, down, down the right
panel. (Yeah, I know the box is supposed to be at the top. My
blog has a mind of its own, along with my dog Scooter.)

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