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Start
Conversations as Easily
as You Start a Car
Copyright 2004, Arlen Busenitz
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Starting a car is easy. Put the
key in, turn it, and the car starts.
Would it not be great if starting aconversation
was this easy? It can be--if you
know how!
Unfortunately, many people don't know
how. They struggle with starting
conversations. If they do break
the silence, the conversation sputters
and dies.
This leads to boring parties, embarrassing
silences, lack of friends and social skills.
Not being able to easily start a
conversation hinders business success
and enjoyment in life. Do you know
what I am talking about?
Starting a conversation can be as easy
as starting a car. The reason you
can quickly start a car is because you
know the two steps:
Step 1: Put the key in the ignition
Step 2: Turn the key.
These two steps work every time with virtually
any car. So also there is a 2-step
method for starting conversations. It
will enable you to start a conversation
anywhere, anytime, with virtually anyone.
Here is the 2-step method for starting
conversation:
Step 1: Break the silence.
Step 2: Ask a good question.
Simple is it not? Don't let the
simplicity of the 2-step method fool you.
It works! I have used the
2-step method with total strangers, friends,
businessman, and even shy people with
great success. Let me explain more.
Step 1: Break the silence.
A person cannot start a car until they
put the key in the ignition, neither can
a conversation start until the silence
is broken. Generally, a greeting
works great to break the silence.
"Hi Tom"
"Good morning"
"Hello."
There is a second way to break the silence
and that is with a comment. This
works well with strangers.
On a plane: "This has been a long
delay."
To a clerk: "Looks busy today."
To a friend: "That was a good football
game last night."
Now that the silence is broken, it is
time to get the conversation flowing with
the second step.
Step 2: Ask a good question.
Almost any question will work. In
fact any question is better than dead
silence. However, a good question
will get the conversation moving.
Here are a few examples:
"How are you doing today?"
"How was your week?"
"Where are you from?"
"How often do you fly?"
"What do you enjoy about this class?"
You might be thinking, "What if the
conversation does not start after I ask
a question?" This will sometimes
happen. When it does, just remember
the car illustration. Turn the key
over again and ask another question.
The conversion will eventually start.
That's it! Break the silence and
ask a good question. Do this and
you will be able to start a conversation
as easily as you start a car.
