Ever found yourself in a situation when a conversation comes to an abrupt silence…. that moment when an awkward silence crawls out from nowhere while you are talking to someone (a crush, a date, a special person). It can be very embarassing and can create the false impression that you are a failure at socializing. It most times feels like everyone is observing a minute of silence for the dead or like one has been marooned to a cocoon. You need not dread this drawn-out silences because you can fill those empty moments and emerge as the communication hero that saved the day. How can you do this? Come with me…
- Don’t Panic: Silence happen sometimes and a few seconds of silence isn’t a BIG deal unless you make it one. Confidence is key to effective communication. If you keep calm and apply the rest of the suggestions you will bounce back.
- Acknowledge the Silence: Say something about the silent moment. Acknowledging silence during conversation diffuses the it. For instance, if everyone just exhausts a particular topic you could comment, “Hm, well it looks like we’ve come to the end of that thread/topic” and then say something to take the discussion in a new direction. You could also say “thats an interesting point…I am ruminating on that right now” If someone says something that everyone needs time to digest.
- Ask more Questions: Sometimes, your acquaintance may give you flat responses such as ‘Yep’, ‘Nope’, ‘Maybe’. Flat responses are conversation killers and anyone (even you) can be guilty without even knowing. In cases such as this, ask further question on the topic. For example, say you ask, “Did you like that movie?” they answer, simply, “Nope.” Now you can ask them what it was that they didn’t like. The plot?, The score?
- Begin a New Topic: It may not be that you have run out of things to say, only that the topic of conversation has been played out. Take the conversation in a different direction by talking about the news or the weather, or your favorite book—anything to break away from the previous conversation.
- Suggest an Activity: You may be enjoying the person you are talking with, but for whatever reason the conversation stalled, you could, at this moment suggest an activity. For example, you are with a date at a party and all of a sudden, silence sticks out its ugly head, you could suggest a walk, a game, dance or any activity that will engage both of you.
Do you have other tips, please share in a comment
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