opening of a conversation

It is quite hard when you want to start something, as in set up a business, activity or a company. But for me, it is much more harder to start a conversation, especially to the strangers. First, you will need courage to do so. When you do have the courage, it doesn't mean that you will have the chance to have a good conversation. The most important thing is that you need to have a good opening skill.

The most common opening that use by people is the skill 'small talk', which also known as phatic communication. For example, we always ask people how do you do when we first meet with people. This is one of the way to start a conversation using small talk skill.What do we usually talk when we use phatic communication? Actually we do have a lot of things to talk. But most commonly people will use the weather or films they recently watch. For instance, while I was in secondary school, I like to talk with my friends about drama I watched before the night to school. Most commonly i will start our conversation like that, 'hey, did u watch that drama yesterday, that was quite interesting......bla bla bla.' That is an example of mine, I believe that many people have gone through that before too.

Other than that, greeting people also consider as an opening of a conversation, such as the word 'hi'. It is a very simple word but it does greet people, it does makes people feel that you are a polite person, but definitely you have to speak it out in a nice and polite tone. When you can do so, it usually lead us to a happy conversation.

Having a good opening is the key point to a good and comfortable conversation. So remember to use good small talk skills next time when you meet your friends.

By Leong Shong Hon