![Going Big on Small Talk](https://cdn.magzter.com/1367307635/1695303964/articles/ddATFXgcH1695371462868/GOING-BIG-ON-SMALL-TALK.jpg)
Why are some people so good at small talk? Able to instantly engage with people they've just met, make their conversation partner feel at ease and like the most important person in the room? Able to seamlessly move from one conversation to another without awkwardness? It doesn't take a special gene to do those things. In fact, there are techniques and skills we can employ to help us be more confident in these situations. Stanford Business School lecturer and podcast host Matt Abrahams identifies best practices for spontaneous communica tion in his new book, THINK FASTER, TALK SMARTER: HOW TO SPEAK SUCCESSFULLY WHEN YOU'RE PUT ON THE SPOT (Simon & Schuster). In this excerpt from his book, Abrahams shares tips and tricks for mastering small talk.
NETWORKING AND SMALL-TALK SITUATIONS- the epitome of spontaneous speaking-make many of us cringe. Initiating and exiting these brief, informal encounters can feel incredibly awkward. During the encounters themselves, most of us feel as if we never quite know what to say and how to say it. We want to seem witty and interesting, but chatting breezily with others-whether at informal cocktail parties, corporate all-hands meetings, mixers at professional conferences, events at our kid's school or at many other gatherings-can seem like an endless verbal tennis match of spontaneous remarks, queries and feedback. It need not be this way. With some cognitive reframing, a useful structure and some specific guiding principles in hand, we can learn not just to survive small talk but to actually enjoy it.
Craft Your Content
This story is from the September 29, 2023 edition of Newsweek US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 29, 2023 edition of Newsweek US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Exhausted No More](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/V_zukemha1719569030485/EXHAUSTED-NO-MORE.jpg)
Exhausted No More
Political polarization has led to burned-out Americans, weary of civic discourse. The answer lies not in disengagement but, rather, positive engagement
![Reef Rehab](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/VZrUWlTaH1719569674698/REEF-REHAB.jpg)
Reef Rehab
Innovative concrete structures mix with corals to defend the coastline during hurricane season
![Biden's European Headache](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/4FvQ8WOES1719562513315/BIDENS-EUROPEAN-HEADACHE.jpg)
Biden's European Headache
The right-wing surge in the EU elections could hamper the president's ambitions in Ukraine and play into the hands of his election rival, Donald Trump
![Lupita Nyong'o](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/HHo7ByO2g1719568680966/LUPITA-NYONGO.jpg)
Lupita Nyong'o
THE TRAILER FOR A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE (JUNE 28) SHOWS STAR LUPITA Nyong'o carrying a cat around moments before New York City is overtaken by aliens.
![Do Films Have a Future?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/bpbt3o6UT1719568360871/DO-FILMS-HAVE-A-FUTURE.jpg)
Do Films Have a Future?
With the movie industry under threat from streaming and Al, experts predict how Tinseltown will look in 10 years' time
![MOST TRUSTED by PHARMACISTS OTC BRANDS in AMERICA 2024](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/4mZEPjihY1719567935185/MOST-TRUSTED-BY-PHARMACISTS-OTC-BRANDS-IN-AMERICA-2024.jpg)
MOST TRUSTED by PHARMACISTS OTC BRANDS in AMERICA 2024
HEADACHES, UPSET STOMACHS AND FEVERS-THESE ARE some of the minor conditions that many people treat with over-the-counter medication.
![DISSENTING OPINIONS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/kp_Vtc7_81719567494651/DISSENTING-OPINIONS.jpg)
DISSENTING OPINIONS
BUCKING THEIR TRADITIONAL RESERVE, JUDGES FROM ACROSS THE SPECTRUM ARE PUBLICLY DISAGREEING WITH THE SUPREME COURT JUSTICES AND DECISIONS
!['I'm Happy To Disrupt'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/R2hWkZRIG1719566724886/IM-HAPPY-TO-DISRUPT.jpg)
'I'm Happy To Disrupt'
Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver talks to Newsweek about Trump, Biden, NATO, Gaza and maximum freedom
![Budget Battle](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1747170/wuXWxu3Og1719562773762/BUDGET-BATTLE.jpg)
Budget Battle
Protesters demonstrate in Kenya's capital city as the country's members of parliament debate a finance bill on June 18.
![AMERICA'S BEST SPECIALISTS & SURGEONS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3257/1731949/HkzEW3Pd41718360828089/AMERICAS-BEST-SPECIALISTS-SURGEONS.jpg)
AMERICA'S BEST SPECIALISTS & SURGEONS
FINDING THE BEST MEDICAL SPECIALIST IS A DAUNTING TASK for anyone requiring specific treatment.