To start a conversation with a stranger you need to go through a kind of a ritual. The ritual will vary between races, sexes and the status of people.
The best thing to wear at the start of a conversation is a smile.
Five of the best tips to help you establish a rapport
*Get the person talking
First, find a common bond of interests. The weather, the temperature or the environment are common starting points.
*Try to put the person at ease
Once you have started to chat start asking questions – preferably open-ended ones. “Do you live around here?” “How long have you lived here?” “ Where did you come from?” “Where did you go to school?” “Why did you move to this country?””How was your week?”
*Seek common interests
Try to identify similarities – things you have in common, be it clothing, sport or location.
*Don’t dominate
Pay attention to the person you are chatting to. Listen with care and try to not to monopolise the conversation.
Try to mirror their behaviour, language style and views.
*Know how to finish the conversation
End on a positive friendly manner.
” It was nice meeting you. I hope to meet you again someday as I found your views very interesting.”
People often tell strangers things they wouldn’t tell their family or friends. You can learn a lot.
-Geoffrey Moss (mossassociates.co.nz)
“You will please more people by listening to them than talking to them.”
SOURCE: “Time-Savers” Moss Associates, New Zealand and “Time Management Secrets” Cengage Learning Asia, Singapore, Se-Education Public Co. Ltd, Thailand and The McGraw Hill Co. Australia. Also as an e-book available from Amazon.com
Another Handful of Tips 