Five Minute Life Lessons » Conversation http://fiveminutelifelessons.com Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:19:38 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Practice Conversations http://fiveminutelifelessons.com/2009/01/30/practice-conversations/ http://fiveminutelifelessons.com/2009/01/30/practice-conversations/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:00:30 +0000 lifeskills http://fiveminutelifelessons.com/?p=82 Now it is time for you to try coming up with questions to keep the conversation going.

Come up with an open-ended question or a closed-ended question followed by an open-ended question for the following situations.

  • You are meeting someone on the first day of class.
  • You are meeting someone while playing at the park.
  • You are meeting someone on a tour bus on at the Grand Canyon.

Now you come up with some other situations.

]]> http://fiveminutelifelessons.com/2009/01/30/practice-conversations/feed/ 0 Conversation Topics http://fiveminutelifelessons.com/2009/01/29/conversation-topics/ http://fiveminutelifelessons.com/2009/01/29/conversation-topics/#comments Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:00:16 +0000 lifeskills http://fiveminutelifelessons.com/?p=76 Now that we know to keep the conversation going with open-ended questions, what do we ask about?

If you are just meeting someone for the first time, keep the conversation light and not too personal.  Start by talking about the surroundings or event you are attending.

Use an open-ended question or a statement or closed-ended question followed by an open-ended question.

What did you think of the movie? (open-ended question)

How long have you known Pomegranate? (closed-ended question)

How did you meet? (open-ended question)

This painting is interesting. (statement)
What do you think? (open-ended question)

If the other person asks you a question, follow up with a question of your own.

Remember that meeting people and getting to know them is supposed to be fun.  If you are feeling uncomfortable with where the conversation is going or you are uncomfortable with questions that are being asked of you, it is okay to end the conversation with “I must be going now.”

]]> http://fiveminutelifelessons.com/2009/01/29/conversation-topics/feed/ 0 Open and Closed-Ended Questions http://fiveminutelifelessons.com/2009/01/28/open-and-closed-ended-questions/ http://fiveminutelifelessons.com/2009/01/28/open-and-closed-ended-questions/#comments Wed, 28 Jan 2009 10:00:18 +0000 lifeskills http://fiveminutelifelessons.com/?p=72 After you have introduced yourself and have a little bit of information about the other person, it is time for the question and answer phase of the conversation.

Questions are a great way to get the other person talking…if you ask the right type of question.

We are going to lump questions into one of two categories…closed-ended questions and open-ended questions.

Closed-ended questions can be answered in one or two words.

Closed-ended questions typically stop the conversation, unless they are then followed by an open-ended question.

“Are you…?,”” Do you…?,” and “Have you…?” are typically closed-ended questions.

Some examples of closed-ended questions:

  • What time is it?
  • Have you been here before?
  • Do you like this band?
  • Are you going to eat that?

Open-ended questions require more than a one or two word answer.  They require an explanation. Open-ended questions keep the conversations going.

“What?,”” Why?,” or “How?” are good ways to start open-ended questions.

“Tell me about…” and “How do you feel about…” are also great ways to keep the conversation going.

Some examples of open-ended question:

  • What is in this fabulous dip?
  • How did you like Florence?
  • What did you do there?
  • Why do you like pie?

It is okay to start with a closed-ended question to get some information.

But follow it up with an open-ended question to keep the conversation going.

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