Would welcome thoughts on face to face talking

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firemonkey
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19 Oct 2018, 10:41 am

I often don't say much. It's not always easy to know how to respond appropriately.



naturalplastic
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19 Oct 2018, 2:06 pm

Not much we strangers on the Net can do to help you based upon just that. :lol:

All I can say is when meeting strangers just make eye contact, keep the talk small (stick to non divisive subjects), and use a little a "self disclosure" now and then( stuff about yourself, what you do etc) with roughly the same degree as that of the other person more or less.



firemonkey
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19 Oct 2018, 4:38 pm

Wasn't specifically asking for help, though thanks for your suggestions.



SaveFerris
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19 Oct 2018, 4:43 pm

Is this with regards to your assessment or just in general.


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firemonkey
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19 Oct 2018, 4:47 pm

More in general,but could apply to the assessment as well. Some days it's easier to talk than others.



SaveFerris
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19 Oct 2018, 4:57 pm

firemonkey wrote:
More in general,but could apply to the assessment as well. Some days it's easier to talk than others.


I can do it but don't find it easy , conversation usually fizzles out pretty quickly. If it's an information exchange then it's easier. As long as it's a quickish conversation my anxiety stays low.

With your assessment don't sweat it ( easier said than done ), you need to be yourself , your assessor will coax all they need out of you


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starkid
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20 Oct 2018, 9:48 pm

Sometimes you don't really need to talk: you can just show that you are paying attention by nodding, making eye contact, mirroring the speaker (smiling when they smile, etc.), and/or making noises like "mm-hmm." A big smile or a pat on the shoulder can show that you are bonding with someone even though you have nothing to say.

I try to meet people online, and I always put in my profile that I am quiet so people don't expect me to talk much. Doing activities with people instead of just talking is another strategy to avoid awkward silences and stuff.

When I have nothing to say, I may just say "ok" to acknowledge that I heard and understand. If I think the speaker expects me to respond and I have no idea how to respond, I ask why they said what they said to me (as tactfully as possible). In the past I would make up with some BS response, but that doesn't work for me. I've found it better to just be my normal quiet self. It's less awkward than fake conversation.