Whether you are in a bar or at a party at work
you are going to be put in a situation where you have to interact
with other people. If you are not normally an outgoing person this
can be harder to do than it sounds. Here are a few suggestions to
help you interact with people around you in a social situation.
1) Relax and do not force yourself on anyone.
Everyone around you wants to have a good time. If they are relaxed
you can be as well. If you are nervous don't talk right away and
gradually you will lighten up.
2) Gradually work yourself into the
conversation. You need to listen first and speak second.
Understanding exactly what is being discussed before you join in
will save you the embarrassment of saying something stupid. If you
have something to offer to the conversation join in at the right
time.
3) Don't overreact. If someone tells a joke you
can laugh but do not force it or over do it. Don't agree with
everything being said if you do not mean it. Honesty is the best
policy in expressing your feeling, but if you do not have something
nice to say it is probably better not to say anything at all.
4) Be more interested in what is being said than
you are in being interesting. You do this by asking questions and
concentrating on the answers you get. There is nothing worse than
someone who wants to dominate the conversation by talking about
themselves all night.
5) Talk about fun stuff. Nothing kills the mood
faster than a person who goes on and on about all of their problems.
Better topics would be vacations, sports, hobbies movies, and that
sort of stuff. Current events are always good, but as a general rule
you are better off not to discuss religion and politics in a social
situation until you are friends with the people you are talking to.
6) Use common sense. Things like don't talk with
your mouth full are socially unacceptable. Do not be gross to be
funny.
7) When talking to the opposite sex keep it
clean. You may not be at work where there could be sexual
harassment charges with what you say, but until you really know
someone making sexually suggestive comments is inappropriate.
These are just a few tips to help you fit in and
meet people socially. Just be yourself and do not try to hard. Let
yourself naturally become part of the surroundings and the
conversation.
