The Serious Business of Small Talk : Becoming Fluent, Comfortable, and Charming

"For a lucky few, light conversation at parties and social events is a breeze. For the rest of us, there is Carol Fleming (bestselling author of It's the Way You Say It), who breaks even the shortest bit of small talk into an understandable process that anyone can master. Small Talk Is the Single Most Important Communication Skill You Can Develop Carol Fleming wants to show you that small talk is not as "small" as you might think. It's the foundation of every relationship, professional and personal. It is the sound of people reaching out to each other, searching for similarities, shared interests, goodwill, connections, and friendship. And it's something we all do every day with people we know. It's just the one little bit about strangers that throws some people off. Graceful social conversation can be learned, even by those requiring the smallest of baby steps. Fleming covers the inner and outer aspects--from the right attitude to how to dress, move around, and introduce yourself. Most importantly, she lays out a series of simple, memorable conversational strategies that make it easy to go from "Nice weather we're having" to a genuine, rewarding give-and-take. But she won't tell you what to say. Believe it or not, you already have what you need inside you. She merely provides the keys to unlock it. Small talk is the language of welcome, the extension of friendliness, the gracious acknowledgment of others, the kindly exchange of introductions and smiles, and the creation of a safe, courteous social space--and this is what has you terrified? After you read this book, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about."--ONIX annotation.;What is small talk for? -- How do we go about changing? -- Why is talkin' about nothin' so darned hard? -- Small talk 101 -- ARE : anchor, reveal, encourage -- Just say hello, Leo -- Starting from social ground zero -- Being more attractive -- Being more interesting -- Being more interested -- Won't you have some of my spiced nuts? -- Being approachable -- Hi, my name is ... -- Eating, drinking, and walking around -- The mystery of good manners -- Men versus women : clash of the communication styles -- How do I get out of this? -- What are you saying about you? -- How to raise fluent, comfortable, and charming kids -- Small talk and cell phones, like oil and water. The Serious Business Of Small Talk Becoming Fluent, Comfortable, And Charming You Walk Into A Room Full Of Strangers And You Immediately Freeze—wait, No You Don't. Instead, You Start Some Light, Easy Banter With The Group Of People Closest To You. Then You Move On To Another Group. At The End Of The Meeting Or The Conference Or The Party, You Leave With A Whole New Set Of Connections. It's Not An Impossible Dream. No Communication Skill Is More Important In The World Than Small Talk, Says Communication Coach Carol Fleming. It's How You Negotiate The Beginning Of All Relationships. What Is More, Fleming Reveals, Contrary To What Most People Say, They Actually Love Small Talk. Very Few Of Us Don't Enjoy Chewing The Fat, Shooting The Breeze, Or Otherwise Catching Up With Loved Ones And Old Friends. That's Small Talk! It's Just The One Little Bit About Strangers That Throws People Off. Small Talk With Strangers Is A Skill, One Fleming Has Taught To Scores Of Avowed Wallflowers. She Covers The Inner And Outer Aspects—from The Right Attitude To How To Dress, Move Around, And Introduce Yourself. Most Importantly, She Lays Out A Series Of Simple, Memorable Conversational Strategies That Make It Easy To Go From “nice Weather We're Having” To A Genuine, Rewarding Give-and-take. Carol Fleming Won't Tell You What To Say. Believe It Or Not, You've Already Got What You Need Inside You. She Merely Provides The Keys To Unlock It. Small Talk Is the Single Most Important Communication Skill You Can Develop Carol Fleming wants to show you that small talk is not as "small" as you might think. It's the foundation of every relationship, professional and personal. It is the sound of people reaching out to each other, searching for similarities, shared interests, goodwill, connections, and friendship. And it's something we all do every day with people we know. It's just the one little bit about strangers that throws some people off. Graceful social conversation can be learned , even by those requiring the smallest of baby steps. Fleming covers the inner and outer aspects -- from the right attitude to how to dress, move around, and introduce yourself. Most importantly, she lays out a series of simple, memorable conversational strategies that make it easy to go from "Nice weather we're having" to a genuine, rewarding give-and-take. But she won't tell you what to say. Believe it or not, you already have what you need inside you. She merely provides the keys to unlock it. Small talk is the language of welcome, the extension of friendliness, the gracious acknowledgment of others, the kindly exchange of introductions and smiles, and the creation of a safe, courteous social space -- and this is what has you terrified? After you read this book, you'll wonder what all the fuss was about You Walk Into A Room Full Of Strangers And You Immediately Freeze--wait, No You Don't. Instead, You Start Some Light, Easy Banter With The Group Of People Closest To You. Then You Move On To Another Group. At The End Of The Meeting Or The Conference Or The Party, You Leave With A Whole New Set Of Connections. It's Not An Impossible Dream. No Communication Skill Is More Important In The World Than Small Talk, Says Communication Coach Carol Fleming. It's How You Negotiate The Beginning Of All Relationships. What Is More, Fleming Reveals, Contrary To What Most People Say, They Actually Love Small Talk. Very Few Of Us Don't Enjoy Chewing The Fat, Shooting The Breeze, Or Otherwise Catching Up With Loved Ones And Old Friends. That's Small Talk! It's Just The One Little Bit About Strangers That Throws People Off. Small Talk With Strangers Is A Skill, One Fleming Has Taught To Scores Of Avowed Wallflowers. She Covers The Inner And Outer Aspects--from The Right Attitude To How To Dress, Move Around, And Introduce Yourself. Most Importantly, She Lays Out A Series Of Simple, Memorable Conversational Strategies That Make It Easy To Go From Nice Weather We're Having To A Genuine, Rewarding Give-and-take. Carol Fleming Won't Tell You What To Say. Believe It Or Not, You've Already Got What You Need Inside You. She Merely Provides The Keys To Unlock It --

Small talk has a big impact—learn to master this most important communication skill to feel more at ease at work, parties, and events of all kinds. Carol Fleming wants to show you that small talk is not as small as you might think. It's the foundation of every relationship, professional and personal. It's the sound of people reaching out to each other, searching for similarities, shared interests, goodwill, connections, and friendship. And it's something that can be learned, even by those requiring the smallest of baby steps. We engage in small talk every day with people we know—but it feels a lot tougher when we go outside our comfort zone. This guide to graceful social conversation covers both inner and outer aspects—from the right attitude to how to dress, move around, and introduce yourself. Most importantly, Fleming lays out a series of simple, memorable conversational strategies that make it easy to go from "Nice weather we're having" to a genuine, rewarding give-and-take. But she won't tell you what to say. Believe it or not, you already have what you need inside you. She merely provides the keys to unlock it!

This book teaches readers the concrete skills of social behaviour, and promises to increase their understanding of what small talk is and what it does, while revealing the rituals and strategies for developing conversation. You may not think you have the "gift of gab," but Carol Fleming will convince you that you can master the fine art of small talk in all your business and social encounters. Print run 8,500