• ComradeSharkfucker@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    79
    ·
    edit-2
    9 months ago

    Having an interesting conversation with someone you just met. I see people do this shit all the time and they make it look like it comes naturally but every time I’m in that situation it is so difficult. Its like a series of quick time events that im severely underprepared for

    • Kefass@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      27
      ·
      9 months ago

      I learned to combat this with 3 simple questions:

      1. What kind of job do you do? (Or study)
      2. Where do you live?
      3. Do you have any kids, dog,…

      Be interrested in their answers and add some simple follow-up questions that show you are listening. Add some content of your own as a follow-up.

      Posing that first question can be a bit weird, but the rest is as simple as it sounds.

    • SwearingRobin@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      6
      ·
      edit-2
      9 months ago

      I’m not perfect at it, but what helps me is that I genuinely love to learn and I like to take the opportunity to learn from people when I meet them. I just need to find an entry point (job, hobby, something the person is knowledgeable about) and then I start asking questions, and applying the limited knowledge I might already have on the subject.

      With short interactions with people that are working (supermarket, bank, restaurant, phone assistance) I usually go for empathy, and overall just being nice. When one comes to me I go for a joke to brighten their day a bit.