Conversation Formula:

1. Question to get information
2. Reward with smile, enthusiam and interest
3. Open ended question about however the person just responded.
4. Relate back with a story.
5. Repeat

Many people resist approaching strangers because they assume that they cannot easily relate to them. They fear having nothing to say or talk about. I used to think this, and I give huge credit to Johnny for showing me how this thinking is not only unhelpful, but it is always false. For example, a 53 year-old engineer may feel like he cannot ( Read more... )

I was recently meeting a friend in a hip, big-city hotel lounge. When I walked in, he was nowhere to be seen. Assuming he was running late, I prepared to call him, then realized I would be calling him just to occupy myself. So, I closed my phone, deciding to occupy myself in more interesting ways ( Read more... )

The average person assumes that his approach to a stranger is unwelcome. Therefore, he either approaches apologetically and meekly, or he acts overbearing to plow through his anticipated rebuff. However, it is precisely these uncalibrated behaviors that cause a stranger's desire to be rid of him ( Read more... )

Has your conversation with a women sounded as follows when you've met her in a chill venue like a jazz club, book store, coffee house, etc.?

You: "Hi, what's your name?"
Her: "I'm Michelle"
You: "Hi Michelle, so I'm new to Ann Arbor, and I'm wondering if you like it here, because I'm thinking of going to law school in the fall, and the town seems ( Read more... )

So often you and I try to relate to what she says. That is fine. However, we want her to be relating to us as well. We value ourselves when we only drive down two-way streets. So how in the world do we get her relating to us? Take my workshop and find out. Okay, until that time here is a hint: Talk in a way that is relatable. Sometimes we need to ( Read more... )

How to Run Game

On opening:

The first words really don't mean much. They don't have to tie into your second or third topic of conversation, they simply have to break the silence. Let the silence linger too long and your window of opportunity closes... "Hi" works pretty well. Nine times out of ten, you're going to want to follow this with something ( Read more... )