Do you ever feel awkward in social situations? Maybe you’re not sure of what to say, how to carry a conversation forward, or what to do with certain body parts like your hands. Not knowing how to handle yourself in social situations can hold you back from meeting new people. The good news is, you can always improve.
Here are tips you should start following now to leave a lasting impact on the people around you:
- Don’t be afraid of small talk: Think of small talk as a warm up session to see whether or not there is a common bond.
- Feel comfortable with being direct: If you find yourself in a situation where you’d like to say, “no”, or at least state better terms for yourself, it’s okay to do so.
- Use what you admire from other people: Are there certain social skills that you admire in other people? Study them and adopt some of their patterns for yourself.
- Avoid diarrhea at the mouth: Sometimes when people are nervous, they over talk. Be yourself, but also be watchful of how much you’re talking.
- If they dish it out, don’t be afraid to dish it back: Sometimes people say absurd stuff. It’s okay to dish it back.
- Be interested: People like to talk about themselves, so show genuine interest when they talk.
- Speak up: If you’re in a loud location, be sure to speak up so people can hear you.
READ MORE: How To Talk To Anybody