How to Talk to Someone You've Never Met

Tips

• Practice smiling and saying "Hello" with every stranger you meet. You will be surprised how many people respond positively. Practice "small talk" too. This will build your comforrt level and help you be more relaxed. And you may make more new friends in this process.
  
• Laugh at their jokes.


• Remember, they are probably shy, too.
  
• Be sincere.
  
• As you get to know someone, they become more comfortable with you. The secret is to never push their comfort level.
  
• Start talking to them from a safe distance, but not so far away they cannot hear you. As they become more comfortable, you can move closer.
  
• If they appear uncomfortable, then give them space and slow down.
  
• If they are already speaking with somebody else, consider whether they would want you to break in to that conversation. Generally, if people are standing in a closed circle or making direct eye contact, the group is not ready to welcome newcomers. If they stand with a space in the circle, that is usually an invitation for others to join the group.
  
• Remember what they say, and refer to it next time you talk to them. That will show you paid attention.
  
• Think of how you would initially react when you recognize a familiar friend; your body orientation, eye movement, tone of voice, type of smile. Then try to mimic it upon meeting a stranger.
  
• Don't take it personally if the individual is arrogant, sarcastic, immature, or otherwise rude in his/her initial reply. This is a sign of emotional immaturity and is usually a maladaptive defense mechanism. Confident, self-actualized people will always remain polite yet assertive even when approached by someone they don't have the least bit of interest in talking to. Simply laugh it off as if they told a joke and move on, paying them no more attention. They didn't tell a joke, of course: they were the joke.