5 tips for talking to strangers

5 tips for talking to strangers

As an enthusiastic traveler, teacher and part -time photographer, I was lucky enough to meet many people with many different backgrounds. Some became lifelong friends, while many more merged with the pile of faded friendships and acquaintances that we all leave behind.

That should not mean that these fleeting encounters are insignificant - even a short conversation can prove to be unexpectedly informative or at least entertaining.

I was not always confident when I spoke to strangers. Traveling helped enormously. I visited over 50 countries, almost always alone, and although I feel comfortable in my own company, I don't want to do it around the clock.

That means that if I want to have company on the go, I have to speak to strangers. At parties and social gatherings it is the same: we all have to speak to strangers and keep a conversation going.

In the following you will find five important tips for talking to strangers who help you break the ice cream and make you popular with strangers.

1. Use names - yours and your

Use the other person's name several times in conversation to build an immediate bond. I admit it is a bit "telesales", but it works. It shows that they listen and concentrate on them. A less common trick that I use is to mention my own name in conversations.

If we talk about travel, for example, I could say: "Unfortunately, my girlfriend doesn't like Camping. She will insist that she will go well, but within five minutes it says: 'Peter, I feel cold!'" "

This reminds the other person of their name, something that is easily forgotten when they are hastily introduced when they speak to strangers. It saves you the embarrassment of asking you again for your name, or, worse, the awkwardness, to speak to you for 20 minutes without having the slightest idea.

2. Select groups instead of individuals

It is always easier to initiate a conversation with another lonely person when you talk to strangers, but if possible, choose groups. It is much easier to have an interesting conversation with three or more people than with two.

In a group, nobody wonders whether he has to talk to a person all night; Everyone has the opportunity to leave the group and mix under others without having to be afraid of being rude.

You may hesitate to address a couple, but only because two people are at a party or together does not mean that they don't want to meet other people. Try it out.

3. Don't be this type

He knows something about everything and never anything. He did her job and he probably did better than her. He was where you went on vacation last week ... twice. And while he was there, he climbed the same mountain as you, but he did it in half of the time ... and led from the summit with the paraglider at midnight.

We have all already hit one of these types and - as the saying says - if not, then you are probably. This type of superiority is particularly widespread in backpacker circles.

It is always about who has overnight, dirty, or who was invited to the dwelling of a locals to eat dubious delicacies of rustic instruments with questionable hygiene. Don't be the guy who always has to have the best story; Allow others to tell theirs too. It's a conversation, not an open-Mic evening.

4. Avoid asking the obvious

So what do you do? How do you know that [Mutual Friend]? Where do you come from?

I know it's tempting, but people's jobs are probably not the most interesting thing about them. I personally start with a happy comment or joke - usually over the host or someone we have together.

I was once in the kitchen of a Swedish hostel when another guest said to his table neighbors: "Someone just asked me which city I would live in if I had the free choice. What would yours be?"

It was a bizarre and interesting way to start a conversation. Otherwise it is sometimes the easiest way to win friends when they offer their fellow travelers a drink, a snack or even a cigarette!

5. Show the people that they taught them something

If someone tells you an interesting fact, show that he taught them something. Smile and say: "I didn't know that!"

Everyone loves to feel smart, so people will warm up for you immediately if they feel valued. Don't say "Yes, I read that a few weeks ago", even if you did it. Instead, give the other person the feeling of being interesting and expert.

As soon as you feel comfortable, the conversation will go more natural and the chances are good that you really teach you something interesting.
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