Are you a conversation starter?

July 30, 2012 10:19am CST
when no one talks, do you do try to initiate the conversation? or do you always wait for others to open a topic? I'm just wondering why other people are gifted as a conversation starter, for me it's really a nice ability if you know how to talk and deal with different level of people. I personally admire these kind of people who know how to carry themselves in any situations be it social, casual and formal occasion. I am also a conversation starter whenever I feel comfortable to talk. But sometimes, it is not also good to be the only person who always initiate the conversation. I don't want to always draw the attention of my friends to my own interests. So I also listen sometimes and do not comment much if I feel I've shared enough in the conversation. what's your view here?
3 people like this
15 responses
@surekharathi (14146)
• India
31 Jul 12
I always start the conversation specially in train then lots of person are join one by one. We enjoy the conversation because everyone share their views on my topic. I start a topic like education, politics, crime etc.
1 person likes this
1 Aug 12
yes your topics are the common interest of most people today. surely many people have their views about it, good to know that you like to initiate conversation. thanks.
@gerald_lian (2188)
• Australia
31 Jul 12
Since young, I am a very introverted person. Even the teachers at school commend me for being quiet (well, of course teachers prefer quiet students compared to rowdy ones! ), but my parents thought that that could be a bad thing too. Because of my shy and introverted nature, I found it hard to make close friends. I am not very good at initiating conversations, because I always find it a hard thing to keep thinking of questions to ask the other person. Most of the conversations where I initiate the discussion would end up with me asking all the questions and the other person answering those questions without asking me any questions at all. I totally envy those people who have the people skills and can stir up others' interest to answer and ask questions at the same time. So, even on myLot, I am more of a discussion responder than a discussion starter, as I find answering questions/discussions a much easier task than starting one up.
• Australia
1 Aug 12
These days I don't really have much of a choice but to develop my people skills. I currently work in a customer-based job, which require me to serve and talk to customers all day long. I find it easy to talk to customers once I have build up that relationship with them, and I can say the same for regular people too. Normally I would open up and start to talk more once I get to know people; it's only strangers and new people that I tend to be more quiet with (perhaps trying to make a good first impression? ). But you are right, I may need to still develop my initiative and try to approach people instead of them approaching me.
1 Aug 12
I was once like you before gerald. It was hard for me to start a conversation and made my first move to approach anyone but as when I started to widen out, I learned how to make the conversation more interesting. I try to avoid questions that are too personal as I really don't want anyone to feel uncomfortable with me. well, sometimes, it's also more easier for me to respond than to create a discussion, it depends on my mood. one thing I have learned, if you want to have friends don't wait for them to approach you, make an effort to reach out and don't limit yourself to your current set of friends.. try to meet new people every week and don't discriminate. Most of all armed yourself with good qualities.
1 Aug 12
working in a customer based-job really could improve more of your skills in dealing with people from different levels. I'm glad to know that you made great improvements. about your worries in creating a good impression, let them see who you are after all first impression is not always right.
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
31 Jul 12
yes, most definitely i am. i am able to talk to strangers and find out things about them. i am also good at a party and usually find things to talk about. i often find that you can people more at ease by asking them questions about themselves. most people like to talk about themselves in one way or another.
31 Jul 12
I find that as very true, people like talking about themselves. so instead opening a conversation about myself, I ask them questions relating to their own interests. I listen to their stories and from there I get something to comment and that keeps the conversation going.
@airasheila (5454)
• Philippines
31 Jul 12
good day jobfindonline, with regard to your query, well it depends on the situation. as there are times, i do start the conversation easily. and make it spontaneously flow. but there are times, it depends on the person that i am going to deal with. as different persons have different views and opinions.
1 Aug 12
hi airasheila, appreciate your respond here. ya, sometimes it depends on a situation we are in. if ever I'm with people who have different views I try to find our common ground for sure there is something we are both interested.
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
31 Jul 12
I try to start conversations with others. I just try to think of basic things to talk about when you first meet a person. It's usually not to hard for me to do this, unless I feel that the person is a hard to talk with. It's also good to be a good listener. We don't want others to think we talk too much either.
• United States
8 Nov 12
Yeah we wouldn't want people to avoid us because we talk too much. That would definitely be a bad thing. It is good to have a balance when talking with others. We don't want the person we are talking with to feel like we are taking over the conversation and that we aren't letting them get a say in.
31 Jul 12
talking too much could keep them away from us and we will have a bad impression from them as being a "super talker" and I don't want to be labeled like that. this is true when we are with our friends but if we are in the meeting, the host, we need to be a talker most of the time. In general we both need to be a talker and listener.
1 person likes this
@fantabulus (4000)
• India
21 Aug 12
I like communication and if the front person is not talking with me then I try to start if success then continue. If person is rude then leave it not interest for conversation with those persons who are rude and proudly.
21 Aug 12
I also do not want to communicate with rude people. Like you, I just don't prolong the conversation.
@tryxiness (4544)
• Philippines
30 Jul 12
I am a bit shy, but I do gauge the person I am with if I can start with small talk. If the initial reaction of the person is ok, then I can start the conversation flawlessly. But if the person I am with is the conceited type, I dare not waste my time striking any conversation with him or her.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
30 Jul 12
Among my closest family and friends, i always seem to be the conversation starter. Maybe its because I want the interaction with others that i get the basll rolling. It seems to come naturally and easily for me as well. it never has to be a forced communication and other people are ready to jump right in.
31 Jul 12
it's good to know that it comes naturally from you. it means you are gifted coz not all people have a skill of interacting with different people and finding something to talk about that could make them feel comfortable.
@eagletrek2 (5499)
• Kingston, New York
30 Jul 12
Hi I'm a talker to if no one else start I do the starting it be nice if other people were not afraid to talk but i get to know a lot of people this way now im trying to be a writer that going take time people number fear today is publc speaking i learn that in some club i belong to.
31 Jul 12
that's good to know eagletrek! our skills in interacting with different people can always be improved. the more we get to know other people and try to initiate the conversation, the more we become effective in speaking. Public speaking takes a lot of courage but can be learned as well.
• Valdosta, Georgia
30 Jul 12
I do not usually initiate the conversation. I am more laid back and a listener. People come to me all the time for someone to talk to. They know I will fully listen to them. I like this quality about myself. Others know they can count on me for that and it's nice to know that. =) That's why when I need the advice or to talk I come here to do it. I have no one to listen to me, they are used to it being the other way around so I just come here when I actually need to talk! =)
31 Jul 12
if all people are conversation starter, I think no one would listen.. so we need people like you who is a good listener. I am also a listener, I try to zipped my mouth at the right time
@jkct02 (2874)
• Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
30 Jul 12
Some people can really talk. Some people are just  - Some people can really talk. Some people are just good listeners.
I am not a conversation starter generally especially when there are strangers or people that I don't know well in presence. But if I am in my capacity as the executive in my office, I will have to take charge of the meeting/talks when I meet my juniors or my visitors. When I am the visitor, I will let the host be the starter unless I do know the host very well. If I am in the company of my friends, there is no problem in who starts a conversation. We all talk as and when we have something to say.
@mikyung (2232)
• Philippines
30 Jul 12
Sometimes I value the silence or the gap because it is where we can find new ideas, we can refresh our mind there. But I believe also that I'm a conversation strater because I don't want to have a dull moment. Depending on who is my audience, I usually start on the basics and after that I would go on to the main point or reason. Thanks
31 Jul 12
yes, I also do not prefer talkative persons and I get suffocated if that happens.. I need to say "silence please!" no body wants a dull moment or make other people uncomfortable that's why whenever I feel that the person I am with is a little bit shy, I would joke or start anything to talk about.
@512771751 (1096)
• China
31 Jul 12
I am a conversation starter when I stay with my good friends, we always have too much topics. But I am not a conversation starter when I stay with strangers, I always don't know how to start, and the topic I start whether they like.
31 Jul 12
at least you can start conversation with your friends.. as for the strangers we all face the same struggle especially if we have little idea about the individual personality. so the key is to ask to get to know them, from there we cn think interesting topics to start with.
@desiree91 (515)
• Malaysia
31 Jul 12
Yes, I tend to bring up questions and remarks to keep the conversation going. But it also depends on the listeners. If they're not cooperative enough then there's no point for me to pass the ball over and over. Sometimes, even when I feel left out and not having enough share of the conversation I would just jump in and act interested.
31 Jul 12
we should avoid open-ended questions, meaning questions that invite a YES or NO answer. so we also need to be selective with the questions we used, it should be an engaging conversation to keep everyone participating. that is true especially in business meeting. I find it hard to jump in any conversation if I don't have real interest.
@prashu228 (37526)
• India
30 Jul 12
hi, I agree with you. I am a very conserve person, and more of a listener type, and hesitating type, but later on , when ever i used to travel , i realized that, i am alone and i have to start some or the other conversation , with people, to feel occupied and to pass the time, especially in new places, where we dont know any one, so slowly i started talking to people, and making conversations, but not too much, i will be in my limit, but ofcourse too much of anything is not good.
31 Jul 12
I agree also with you. We have to initiate the conversation if we are travelling and need something to ask. People are not born with the capacity to read what we think so we better speak up otherwise we will end up being strayed. ya, too much is always not good for us.