To start a conversation 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.

Here are a handful of tips to help you establish a rapport and make a new friend.

* Find a common bond

         Get the person talking to find a common bond of interests.

         The weather, the temperature, or the environment are common starting points.

* Put the person at ease

         Complement a decision the person has made.

“I like your necklace – are those real stones.” “Where did you get those shoes – they do look comfortable.”

         Once you have started to chat start asking questions – preferably open-ended ones. “Why did you choose to move to this country?” “How was your week?” “Do you live around here?” “How long have you lived here?” “Where did you come from?” “Where did you go to school?”

* Seek common interests

         Try to identify similarities – things you have in common- clothing, sport, location, or family.

* Don’t dominate

         Pay attention to the person you are chatting to. Listen with care. Do not monopolise the conversation.

         Try to mirror their behavior, language style, and views.

* Know how to end your chat

          End in a friendly manner.

         ” It was nice meeting you. I hope to meet you again soon.  I found your views interesting.”

         People often tell strangers things they wouldn’t tell their family or friends.

         You can learn a lot if you do not dominate the chat.

-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