www.amazon.com/author/paulbabicki
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As an author on the principals and policies of Netiquette (see the books below) and electronic communications, I
have written about how polite "fillers" should be used by email
senders, particularly business emails.The article below reflects person
to person "small talk" which can easily be adjusted to use in email. To
do so effectively, will certainly improve the quality and attentiveness
given to email writing.
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6 Steps to
Master Small Talk
From thought.com
Updated April 26, 2017
The ability to make 'small talk' is highly valued. In fact,
many English students are more interested in making effective small talk than
knowing correct grammar structures - and rightly so! Small talk gets
friendships started and 'breaks the ice' before important business meetings and
other events.
What is small talk?
Small talk is pleasant conversation about common interests.
Why is small talk difficult for some
English learners?
First of all, making small talk is not difficult only for
English learners, but also for many native speakers of English.
However, small talk can be especially difficult for some
learners because making small talk means talking about almost anything - and
that means having a wide vocabulary that can cover most topics. Most English learners have excellent vocabulary
in specific areas, but may have difficulties discussing topics they are
unfamiliar with because of a lack of appropriate vocabulary.
This lack of vocabulary leads to some students 'blocking'.
They slow down or stop speaking completely because of a lack of
self-confidence.
How to Improve Small Talk Skills
Now that we understand the problem, the next step is to
improve the situation. Here are some tips to improve small talk skills. Of
course, making effective small talk means lots of practice, but keeping these
tips in mind should improve overall conversational skills.
Do some research
Spend time on the Internet, reading magazines, or watching
TV specials about the type of people you are going to meet.
For example: If you are taking a class with students from
other countries, take time after the first few days of class to do some
research. They will appreciate your interest and your conversations will be
much more interesting.
Stay away from religion/strong
political beliefs
While you may believe in something very strongly, beginning
conversations and making small talk about your own personal convictions may
abruptly end the conversation.
Keep it light, don't try to convince the other person that
you have the 'correct' information about a higher being, political system or
other belief system.
Use the Internet to gain specific
vocabulary
This is related to doing research about other people. If you
have a business meeting, or are meeting people who
share a common interest (a basketball team, a tour group interested in art,
etc.), take advantage of the Internet to learn specific vocabulary. Almost all
businesses and interest groups have glossaries on the Internet explaining the
most important jargon related to their business or activity.
Ask yourself about your culture
Take time to make a list of common interests that are
discussed when making small talk in your own culture. You can do this in your
own language, but check to make sure that you have the English vocabulary to make small talk about
those subjects.
Find common interests
Once you have a subject that interests both of you, keep to
it! You can do this in a number of ways: talking about travel, talking about
the school or friend you have in common, talking about the differences between
your culture and the new culture (just be careful to make comparisons and not
judgments, i.e., The food in our country is better than the food here in
England").
Listen
This is very important. Don't get so worried about being
able to communicate that you don't listen. Listening carefully will help you
understand and encourage those speaking to you. You might be nervous, but
letting others state their opinions will improve the quality of the discussion
- and give you time to think of an answer!
Common Small Talk Subjects
Here is a list of common small talk subjects. If you have
difficulties speaking about any of these topics, try to improve your vocabulary by using the resources available
to you (Internet, magazines, teachers at school, etc.)
- Sports - current matches or games, favorite teams, etc.
- Hobbies
- Weather - boring, but can get the ball rolling!
- Family - general questions, not questions about private matters
- Media - films, books, magazines, etc.
- Holidays - where, when, etc. but NOT how much!
- Home town - where do you come from, how is it different/similar to this town
- Job - once again, general questions not too specific
- Latest fashion and trends
- Celebrities - any gossip you may have!
Good Netiquette And A Green Internet To All! =====================================================================
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===============================================================In addition to this blog, Netiquette IQ has a website with great assets which are being added to on a regular basis. I have authored the premiere book on Netiquette, “Netiquette IQ - A Comprehensive Guide to Improve, Enhance and Add Power to Your Email". My new book, “You’re Hired! Super Charge Your Email Skills in 60 Minutes. . . And Get That Job!” has just been published and will be followed by a trilogy of books on Netiquette for young people. You can view my profile, reviews of the book and content excerpts at:
www.amazon.com/author/paulbabicki
Anyone who would like to review the book and have it posted on my blog or website, please contact me paul@netiquetteiq.com.
In addition to this blog, I maintain a radio show on BlogtalkRadio and an online newsletter via paper.li.I have established Netiquette discussion groups with Linkedin and Yahoo. I am also a member of the International Business Etiquette and Protocol Group and Minding Manners among others. I regularly consult for the Gerson Lehrman Group, a worldwide network of subject matter experts and I have been contributing to the blogs Everything Email and emailmonday . My work has appeared in numerous publications and I have presented to groups such as The Breakfast Club of NJ and PSG of Mercer County, NJ.
Additionally, I am the president of Tabula Rosa Systems,
a “best of breed” reseller of products for communications, email,
network management software, security products and professional
services. Also, I am the president of Netiquette IQ. We are currently developing an email IQ rating system, Netiquette IQ, which promotes the fundamentals outlined in my book.
Over the past twenty-five years, I have enjoyed a dynamic and successful career and have attained an extensive background in IT and electronic communications by selling and marketing within the information technology market.
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