Everyone maybe afraid of different culture, of course in conversation too.

But did you know

there are specific techniques you can use to have more meaningful conversations expecially
in United Stated? Here are some time tested techniques on how to hold a conversation that
will improve your communication skills instantly.

Make It About Them

People LOVE to talk about themselves so asking them about where they work, where they like to
hang out, about their families etc. these questions are always great openers. The trick here is to
actually listen when they answer, and don’t interrupt them with facts about yourself. If they are
interested in you as well, they will, in turn ask the same of you.  Example : "What happened
to make you feel that way?"
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Practice Active Listening

Avoid the temptation to think about what you’re going to say next while someone else is speaking.
You should be aware of this during conversations and try to stop yourself from drifting off when
someone else is talking. It’s not easy especially if you’re an extrovert and like talking a lot. A good
way to practice is to listen to the person you’re talking to and try to repeat what he or she just said.

Ask the Right Questions

You can get those you’re communicating with to share more about themselves by asking the right
questions. Ask open ended questions to help them reveal more about their feelings and opinions
about a certain topic. If you have talked to them before and they happened to mention something
they were interested in, ask a follow-up question about it. This is a great tip on how to hold a
conversation. For example In United Stated usually they likes talking about sport maybe you can ask
to your friends with this “I like soccer, what kind of sports do you like?”

Consider the Environment

Don’t try to start a conversation beyond quick pleasantries in a noisy and overcrowded place. You
both will have a hard time hearing each other out. If you want to hold a conversation, pick a place
that has a slow and relaxed place. It will be pressure free and devoid of distractions. at school, an
example of a good place to chat is the park or during class breaks

Stay Up to Date
Make sure you are aware of current news . This is one of the best tricks on how to hold a
conversation. Make sure to go through the news for a few minutes every morning. This way, you
will be able to contribute to conversations about current affairs. For Example “I heard that Mr Suna
can’t teach us today, do you have any idea to do during his class ?

Mind Your Body Language

You should be aware of your body language and what it’s communicating. Make eye contact with
the person you're holding a conversation with. It shows that you’re totally engaged in the
conversation and you’re paying attention.

Don’t stare directly into their eyes throughout as it will come off as being creepy. Maintain eye
contact at least 50% of the time when you’re talking and 70% of the time when they’re talking. Use
nonverbal cues such as nodding and smiling to show understanding occasionally.

Be Genuine

If you come off as sincere, the other person will be more receptive to you. Try to demonstrate that
your interest in them is genuine and that you value their opinions. Take note of things that they do
and comment on them. For example, your colleague at work could have a piece of memorabilia on
the desk. Comment on it and try to find out the story behind it.

Don’t Overshare

Don’t say things that might be awkward. Avoid saying things that will embarrass the person you’re
talking to or even yourself. Don’t give too much information about yourself. Evaluate the
relationship you have with the person before blurting out things you might regret. You don’t want to
discuss your hemorrhoids with someone you just met.

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Know Who You’re Talking To

Want to know how to hold a conversation successfully? Do some research about the person you’re
meeting. You can do some background research on their social networks to find out about their
interests, whether they have a family, if they own a pet and which kind of groups and pages they
follow. That will give you an idea on what to talk about when you guys meet. Don’t make it too
obvious that you were checking them out during the conversation.

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Know When to End It

The conversation must come to an end at some point. You should know when it’s time to stop. The
person you’re talking to can end it by saying something like “I have to go now” or you can end it with
a similar excuse. You can also say something like, “It was nice talking to you. We can catch up
another time”, and then exchange contact details.