Conversing with ease

What are the benefits of conversation?

Etymology

• It means "living together, having dealings with others"
• It also means "manner of conducting oneself in the world"
• From Latin conversationem "act of living with"
• Specific sense of "talk" is 1570s.
• Synonym for "sexual intercourse"
• Criminal conversation (adultery)

Levels of conversation

Level 1 - Small talk

Level 2 - Fact disclosure

Level 3 - Viewpoints and Opinions

Level 4 - Personal feelings

Example

• Leslie: Hi, My name is Leslie. I don't think we've met before.
• Elizabeth: No, we haven't - I'm Elizabeth.
• Leslie: Elizabeth! I'm pleased to meet you. I've heard Sharon speak about you.
• Elizabeth: Yes, I've known Sharon for a long time, We went to school together.

Example (cont.)

• Leslie: You must be good friends then.
• Elizabeth: Yes. She has been a good friend and a great help to me - especially in the last six months. I'm going through a divorce now, and it's been horrible. I wish I had never meet the man. I had no idea he could be so mean and petty. This whole thing has just been devastating
• Leslie: ...

Successful conversations

• Beginning a dialogue with someone you've never met before requires a positive attitude

Example

• You: So do you work with Phil?
• She: No, I'm his tennis instructor.
• You: Oh, really? I didn't know Phil could play tennis.
• She: He can't!
• You: (laugh) How long have you been an instructor ...

Fictional scenario

Opinions?

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