Conversation Techniques

5.Even if the person at the other end is a small girl or boy, you must talk with much courtesy and politeness. Never be bossy. All your character and school/college learning would become obvious to the other by the way you conduct yourself on a telephone.

Situation 8 – Conversation between two unknown school students of different sex

This is a scene in a college premises where a number of students have gone in hoping for a seat in Arts or Science groups. Both sexes are present. James is from a first rate English medium school where he had finished his +2. He is keen on taking Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Computer science group. No one seems to know each other since all are from different High schools. James feels that he needs to meet some students and shouldn’t’ stand idle ignoring the presence of other students especially the lady students. Let’s see how James manages the situation.

James (addresses a lady student) :Good morning, I am sure, you have come for admission like me. Right?

Girl: …………. Y– e —- s

James : You must be from a Convent school. Am I right or not?

Girl : Indeed, I am. How did you guess?

James: Well. First, you are very smart; standing upright and looking straight. And of course you have a charming face.

Girl : What else?

James: While all the other girls are in Salwar Kameez, you are in a saree. A saree suits you very well.

Girl : OK. I am Sheila. I am from St. Philomena’s convent.

James: Isn’t it wonderful? I am James, James Vasanthan. I am from St. Paul’s Matriculation and Higher secondary school.

Sheila: Oh, St Paul’s from, Madhavaram?

James : Yes.

Points

1.Sheila is initially a very shy and cold girl as well. Most girls are so in India and in most of the developing countries as well possibly. A sentence such as “You must be from a convent…” has energized her. All of us are proud of our work place, school/college, residence etc. And we love to talk about it. So, Sheila livens up immediately. And to keep the conversation going, James gives another compliment about her personality. Won’t all of us love to hear something good about our looks, intelligence, dress etc? And here, Sheila wants to hear more accolades and says “what else?” See the way James praises her – all subdued and nothing loud at all. One could overstep here. Don’t. Too much flattering may back fire. Sheila is naturally impressed with the young man and she volunteers more information about herself. Imagine a girl revealing her name to a stranger. At this stage, James has won her over.

2. With the same sex , follow the same method. Praise the other in modest terms and he will begin to talk. Further, throw a question at him and that’s the way to keep a conversation going. Don’t say anything personal. For instance any question such as, “How many sister have you, are they all grown up, married?” etc. All questions and compliments must be most modest and innocuous.

3. So, next time you come across a fair sex, don’t run way. Hang on and start a conversation. And you know the trick of how to get it going.

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