There is never any time when an engaging conversation can’t uplift our mood.
When you have a good time with someone, it’s usually because you are having a fun and meaningful conversation with the other person. Talking with somebody can make you feel alive, even after a dull event.
Tips on How to Have More Interesting Conversations!
1. Listen rather than just trying to respond
Not listening before you speak can come off as inauthentic and demonstrate a lack of empathy.
Try to listen first to what the other person is telling, rather than simply thinking about a clever response. It’s really disrespectful to the other person when you are simply pretending to listen.
Always be mindful of the time and wait to respond until they have concluded their thoughts.
2. Ask questions
Express your natural curiosity for the other person in conversation by asking them meaningful questions. This is one of the best ways to show them that you’re invested in what they are saying.
Asking them questions is how you will learn more about them and their life.
3. Make sure the questions you ask are open-ended
Are you wondering how to keep a conversation interesting? Well, start with an open-ended question rather than a close-ended one.
Closed questions end with a “yes or no” response. For instance, “Did you like the party?” They’re simple to answer, but you won’t get a ton of detail from them, which usually leads to a dead end.
On the other hand, open-ended questions are like “How was the party?” or “How is your job?” They give the respondent an opportunity to answer in more detail, thus, leading to a better conversation.
4. Talk about their passions
People like it when you show genuine interest in what they are passionate about.
For instance, if a person likes to skateboard, ask them how did they learn to do it? How long did it take for them to learn?
Questions such as this regarding someone’s passion will definitely lead to a more engaging conversation.
5. Share a bit of personal info
People usually like to share things about themselves whenever they feel comfortable, so we should let them do most of the talking.
But that doesn’t mean that the person only wants to talk about themselves. They want to know things about you too! They might find you less interesting if they don’t see where your interests overlap with theirs.
In such situations, share something slightly personal. This will help you to form a bond with the person.
6. Make eye contact
When you fail to maintain eye contact, it may be possible for the other person to think their opinions are not important to you. This can lead them to shy away from the conversation.
Hence, eye contact during conversation is crucial. But this is to be done in a very subtle manner, or else the other person might feel uncomfortable.
Remember, there is a difference between eye contacting and staring.
7. Be genuine
Human beings crave genuine connections. Most people don’t like when somebody pretends to be someone else.
While having a conversation, if the other person senses that you are pretending to be someone else, they might raise their personal barrier. This will make it harder for you to have a meaningful conversation.
So, always be who you are. And to make your conversation memorable, use humor, or start the conversation with a personal anecdote.
To Conclude
In social situations, look for openers that will work for you and that you’re confident with.
People are generally relieved to have you continue the conversation. So don’t waste any more time pondering how to be interesting in conversation and apply these tips whenever you have your next convo.
Vanessa Lynn Uzcategui
Latest posts by Vanessa Lynn Uzcategui (see all)
- How to Make Conversation Interesting? - June 21, 2022
- How Difficult Is It to Learn Korean? - June 6, 2022
- How Long Does It Take to Learn Sign Language? - April 20, 2022