Making
Contact
Taking
to strangers is such an art that either you have it or you do not have it. I
guess it can also be learned with practice but can be really tricky. Why I say
that is because in order to learn it you have to have real life experience of
ice breaking and talking to strangers. People who are introverts have a real
rough time in dealing and talking with strangers, even when they are not fully
strangers and work with them. Interestingly it also varies with what kind of
strangers we are talking about. Are they young and of opposite sex or old
people with a great sense of humor. These can also be new people at work as new
hires or new people when you moved to different department at work. People have
trouble talking to strangers of all kinds and I have been through all kinds of
strangers mentioned above and have been successful in breaking the ice.
Fear
of rejection is true and great, at least for me. But this is only true when
approaching opposite sex. The text has some very good tips on accepting
rejection and having a different point of view when rejected. I usually find a
genuine reason to talk to somebody and am not afraid to break ice. I can
approach anybody and everybody for any reason and break ice, when it is work
related. I can break ice with strangers outside anywhere and get the
conversation going. I avoid approaching women without any reason, even avoid
for the reason of just being friends and sharing experiences. If they work with
me then it is fine but not otherwise. There is absolutely no lack of confidence
in me and no fear of any kind, I just do not want to start friendship with
somebody, being a married man and living a dream life.
The
text describes a number of ways to break ice and also teaches a number of ways
to begin a conversation. The text also addresses the main ideas of asking
questions, active listening and self-disclosure. It also mentions the types of
self-disclosures and when they should be used. It provides good tips of dealing
with emotions when rejected and also the method of using body language. It does
provide good general ideas of making a successful contact and I did learn a
number of things by just going through the chapter. I have compared myself to
what is mentioned in the text and notice there are so many things that I can
make better in my conversation techniques. Technique of approaching strangers and
engaging in a conversation also requires a very good sense of humor which makes
the job whole lot easier.
I
have seen that most of the people appreciate a good sense of humor and also
possess a good sense of humor. They respond well to people who can break ice
with a funny note and also become comfortable easily. It is tricky to choose a
topic to make a funny comment but that is where the talent comes in. I am quite
proud of myself for possessing such a talent and making people feel at ease and
breaking ice easily. Text has given me couple of good pointers that I think
will help me in future approaching strangers.
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