Step 1

Find a Target

In the cases of most conversations, you will need more than one person. While a conversation with yourself is possible and perhaps the easiest option, unfortunately, that will not suffice in a society.

• In a classroom environment, try turning to the nearest person and locking eyes. This will cue to the other person that they are about to be spoken to.
• If you are unable to find a target, a just hope that the teacher would assign you to a random group and sit awkwardly together until someone decides to speak up.
• Out in the wild of the streets of Boston, don’t bother. Unless you are very brave, then go ahead and approach a random stranger.

Step 2

Think of a Topic

If you are in a classroom, this is often already predetermined for you by the teacher. The topic of conversation would be whatever the teacher wants you to talk about with each other.

If you are in a club or group of people known to have similar interests, try thinking of a niche topic in that group.

If you are with other students, there are 5 main topics that could never go wrong to bring up:

• Majors
• Classes
• Absurd assessments
• The weather. Cause what else is more riveting than the unpredictable nature... of nature?

If you are with a complete stranger… good luck. Maybe try complementing a shirt or a hairstyle or something.

Step 3

Start the Conversation

Wait awkwardly until someone initiates the conversation. If you really can’t stand the tense atmosphere, try speaking up

(Filler words like “um,” and “so,” are always a good way to grab attention)

Step 4

Extend the Conversation

If you sense the conversation dying down, desperately try to save it by:

• Adding onto the current topic
• Latching onto another area of common interest
• Asking the other person about them.
• Talking about yourself.

Step 5

Leaving the Conversation

If the conversation starts getting uncomfortable and awkward, here are some steps you can take to skillfully leave a conversation:

• Use the excuse: “Oh, I have to run off to do XXXXX”
• When sensing the conversation lull, take the opportunity to end the conversation: “Well, it was lovely talking to you”
• Or, if you don’t want to take the initiative, try waiting for a moment when two other members of the conversation are engrossed in another topic of conversation and subtly excuse yourself
• (Always an option) You could just walk away without further elaboration.

(Optional) Step 6

Go Home and Reflect on Your Mistakes

This is when you will start thinking back to all the moments of the conversation and thinking of wittier and more clever words that you should have employed at certain moments of the conversation.

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DISCLAIMER

The previous steps mentioned above are not guaranteed to work 100% of the time and may not be appropriate for certain situations. It may also not be applicable to the following groups of people (with an exception of Step 7):

• Introverts and anti-social people

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