Establishing a RAPPORT –
To start a conversation with a stranger you need to go through a kind of 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.
A handful of tips to help you establish a rapport with a stranger
* Get the person talking
See if you can find something in common. The weather, the temperature, or where you are, or what’s happening around you.
* When you find common ground
Try to expand on it.
Identify similarities – things you have in common, be it clothing, sport, location, or a mutual friend.
* 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?”
“What job are you in?”
“How was your week?”
* Don’t dominate
Pay attention to the person you are chatting to.
Listen with care and try to not to monopolise the conversation.
Most people like to talk about themselves.
Try to mirror their behaviour, language style and views.
* Know how to finish a conversation
End on a positive friendly manner.
” It was nice meeting you. I hope we meet again someday. I found your views interesting.”
You can lean a lot by listening . People often tell strangers things they wouldn’t tell their family or friends. At times you hear some amazing stories.
-Geoffrey Moss(mossassociates.co.nz)
“You will please more people by listening to them than talking to them.”
For those in need, download our FREE book “NO JOB! WHAT NOW? available from our website.
Source: Time-Savers, Moss Associates . Ltd, New Zealand; McGraw-Hill, Australia; Times Business Books, a Federal Publishing House, Singapore and Qingdao Publishing House, China.
Another Handful of Tips 