How To Become A Master Of Awkward Small Talk At Parties

It is called “awkward small talk” for a reason. That’s because you never know when it’s going to hit you. In one minute, you are focused on the event at hand and having fun, and before you know it, the spotlight is on you to give a talk. It becomes worse if you have no clue about what to say and how to go about it. At this juncture, navigating the awkward moment can either make or break your entire experience at the event.

Hence, mastering the art and act of giving small talks at parties and events can be a life-saving skill. It goes beyond survival to captivating the audience and turning that awkward moment into a priceless opportunity. This article shares practical strategies for excelling in such scenarios. From active listening to proper transition and infusion of humor, learning and honing these skills empowers you to navigate parties with confidence and charm.

Master The Art Of Listening

Being an active listener prepares you ahead of any eventualities. There is no better way to prepare. It’s like reading for an exam or watching a movie you want to review. When you listen to the same audience you want to address, you can get all the information you need to prepare your talk and make it engaging. It also allows you to prepare follow-up questions and personalize the conversation, making them more involved.

For instance, if someone talks about Australia and all the beautiful scenery, relaxation spots, natural parks, hotels, and casinos in their neighborhood, you can use that detail in your talk. You can ask the person to mention some of the popular online casino games in Australia, and they can easily relate to your question. This tip cuts across all topics as long as you listen actively and draw cues from their personal experience and perspectives.

Practice Small Talks

If you are the outgoing type, then chances are that you will face many such awkward moments. If you want to improve, regular practice is vital. You can do it alone in front of a mirror and get a recording device. That way, you can watch or listen to yourself and grade every performance until you are satisfied. You can also practice small talk in front of your friends and sometimes random people. Make it short and brief; remember it is only a small talk.

Make The Talk About Your Audience

Many people try so hard to make themselves enjoyable at small talk. Hence, they focus on themselves and share too much personal information about their jobs, work, and family. That’s an easy way to bore your audience because they didn’t ask for your personal history. Imagine a room full of strangers, and your conversation is something they know nothing about. That is the easiest way to kill the conversation even before you start.

Instead, as we already mentioned, listen actively and make them interested in the conversation. How are you going to do that? Ask them appropriate questions, watch them pour out, and do the talking for you. That way, you coordinate the entire show and turn the awkward moment to your advantage.

Be Sensitive About The Topics You Choose

Not every topic is suitable for small talk. Topics about war, religion, and politics should be avoided as they could stir so many controversies from the audience. This could lead to arguments and can sometimes escalate to physical fights. Instead, you could talk about tech, fashion, and some fitness tips.

Similarly, advising your audience is not a smart move. When you listen actively to comments and responses, resist the urge to tell them what to do or how to go about the situation. You must be sensitive enough to know if the person truly needs your help. More importantly, as crucial as your thoughts might be, it may not be the right time and place.

Embrace The Awkward Silence

You can practice all you want, but there is always that moment when the audience goes silent on you. It usually has nothing to do with how well you do, but it just happens. Mastering the art of small talk means that you understand these moments will happen and helps you to prepare and manage them. So, instead of fidgeting or panicking, it might be the perfect opportunity to sip from your cup, drink water, or smile.

Give Details

Imagine if everyone begins to give scanty information when asked questions. It means more questions will follow. Of course, questions are suitable for small talk, but when it becomes too much, it might seem you are forcing the information out of the audience. But this is more likely to happen when the other person is skimp on details. For instance, when asked to talk about yourself, do not just say your name and where you are from. You are leaving out many things like where you live, what you do, where you work.

Know When To Quit

People might drag on a conversation for too long, especially when everything seems to be going well. It is best to leave when the ovation is loudest. Always know when to leave or excuse yourself from a small talk. Be conversant with phrases like “It’s been great chatting with you, but I’d have to go now”, or “I enjoyed your talk about the evolution of online gambling.”  Once you are conversant with these sign-out phrases, quitting small talk becomes very seamless.