How do you become an expert
at talking to strangers?
Talk to strangers.
According to Webster’s Dictionary, a stranger is a person that is unknown to you or with whom you are unacquainted.
Though our mothers may have warned us against it when we where young, as adults we have all been faced with a situation where we
had to talk to a stranger, something most of us dread. Whether it’s the first day on a new job, the first time meeting our future in-laws,
or meeting up with someone on a blind date, we are forced to speak with someone with whom we are unacquainted.
Add the fact that we want to make a good impression, and its easy to see why many of us are tongue-tied when it comes to talking to strangers.
So, what do we do so that we can become an expert at talking to people we don’t know?
Practice, practice, practice
Do you remember the first time you tried to parallel park? Well, if you where anything like me, you ran into the curb, a fire hydrant, or a parked car
on more than one occasion. In other words, you where very bad at parallel parking. But after practicing over and over again, you became an expert, able to perfectly
position your car in the tightest spot in two turns of the steering wheel.
The same is true when it comes to speaking to people you don’t know. If you practice doing it, after a while it will become second nature, and you’ll enjoy
the experience instead of dreading it.
Start striking up conversations with total strangers
The best way to practice talking to strangers is by talking to strangers. Make it a goal to strike up a conversation with at least one person you are unacquainted every day.
The conversation doesn't have to be anything long or drawn out. Just exchange a few pleasantries. Be sure to pick someone that is relaxed and not in a hurry,
like someone browsing in a bookstore.
"But I might be rejected."
That's true. However, after several tries, you’ll find that very few of the people you try to strike up a conversation with will be unpleasant, as a matter of fact you’ll find
a good number of people will be quite willing to talk. And who knows, you might hit it off with someone and make a new friend.
So, go ahead and give it a try! Practice talking to strangers, and build up your confidence so that the next time you really want to make a good impression on someone you’re
unacquainted with, you’ll engage in the art of conversation like a pro.
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