CEM-9: CONVERSATION STARTERS (Custom, Etiquettes and Manners)

Ø  CONVERSATIONAL STARTERS:

ü  Friends and acquaintences; easy talk.

ü  Strangers; initiate on a general topic.

ü  Intimate gatherings; subject of common interest, anecdotes

ü  Refrain from talking shop

ü  With the elderly and family friends; it is better to let them do the talking: avoid criticism; even if you disagree.

Ø  USING FLATTERING WISELY:

-          There is an art of flattering someone. To put you in their good books

-          To compliment sincerely in order to follow in the favour of someone.

-          To portray someone favourably;

ü  Do not overdo, sound authentic.

ü  Be honest, while having a definite motive i.e., impact.

Ø  AVOID SLANG:

ü  Slang is often used when talking with your  peer group. Taken to extremes, this is rude behaviour especially with Ladies and Elders.

ü  With elders keep slang out of your talk, give due respect.

ü  Slang often displays a sense of belonging, at a college level.

Ø  CONVERSATION WITH YOUNG CHILDREN:

ü  Learning / Speaking through observation.

ü  Rule is to be polite and respectful with correct manner of speech.

ü  Avoid slang and bad language.

ü  Use of please, thank you, excuse me, bye, hello, sorry, how do you do......... is ideal conversation.

Ø  SARCASM, HUMOUR, DOUBLE MEANINGS

ü  If misused in a conversation, it can prove destructive.

ü  Refrain from above in intimate gatherings.

ü  Crude, Vulgar, double edged ambiguous-statements, sarcasm, gossip, especially in front of ladies; to be strictly avoided.

Ø  MODULATING YOUR VOICE

ü  Refers to Rhythm and tonal quality of your voice.

ü  Avoid talking long.

ü  Also, too soft a voice barely be heard will fail to make an impact of any sort.

ü  A well modulated voice with deliberation, convincing and confident will be heard and understood.

Ø  CRITICISM

ü  An irritating  trait.

ü  Should be done mildly, constructively to those who need criticism.

ü  Be liberal in encouragement by letting the person know you have faith in his ability.

ü  Do not take to heart. Take it in good faith and try to locate your fault and rectify it.

ü  Avoid criticism in public, call a person aside and say what you have privately.

Ø  PRACTISING

ü  Key to improving your speaking skills.

ü  Watch others; adopt good speech of others if it helps.

ü  Poised speech is a sign of good manners and is one of the graces that anyone can enquire without much effort.

ü  Try ‘Mirror’(image) imitation.

 Also Read:

CEM 1: Etiquettes and Manners

CEM 2: Posture

CEM 3: Dress Code

CEM 4: Your Behaviour

CEM 5: Clarity
CEM 6: Extended Greetings
CEM 7: Dismissing or Escorting
CEM 8: Speaking and Listening