I agree with you on that, however, some folks have had issues in volunteering information about themselves. I don’t blame them or look down on them for it as some folks are just shy or introverted. Or they might be more comfortable talking with people they know more intimately.
The basic concept of showing interest in what someone is saying is a good way to at least get through a conversation without making it complete agony.
Don’t forget, there’s two people in this operation. Your speaking partner should also be doing the exact same thing back (showing interest) and picking up on what you are laying down. As such, they should be also asking some questions back to keep the discussion going.
Example:
You: I once took a cooking class that focused on insect based diets!
Me (who has little to contribute on the subject but is still interested in talking with you at this cocktail party): Really? What was your favorite?
You: A burger where the patty was made out of cricket meal! It was almost indistinguishable from a real beef burger.
Me: That’s wild! Were crickets the only thing that they used?
You (picking up that perhaps I have not that much info on insect based diets): Oh no, there were all sorts of other ingredients we used, I just happen to be a fan of burgers. How about you? On burgers?
Me (who can certainly contribute on the subject of burgers): Big fan, actually where I’m from, Halifax, has one of the best burger weeks I’ve ever experienced!
And so we’ve opened up the conversation topics from insect food to burgers, burger week/themed food events, and Halifax/places we are from.
I agree with you on that, however, some folks have had issues in volunteering information about themselves. I don’t blame them or look down on them for it as some folks are just shy or introverted. Or they might be more comfortable talking with people they know more intimately.
The basic concept of showing interest in what someone is saying is a good way to at least get through a conversation without making it complete agony.
Don’t forget, there’s two people in this operation. Your speaking partner should also be doing the exact same thing back (showing interest) and picking up on what you are laying down. As such, they should be also asking some questions back to keep the discussion going.
Example:
You: I once took a cooking class that focused on insect based diets!
Me (who has little to contribute on the subject but is still interested in talking with you at this cocktail party): Really? What was your favorite?
You: A burger where the patty was made out of cricket meal! It was almost indistinguishable from a real beef burger.
Me: That’s wild! Were crickets the only thing that they used?
You (picking up that perhaps I have not that much info on insect based diets): Oh no, there were all sorts of other ingredients we used, I just happen to be a fan of burgers. How about you? On burgers?
Me (who can certainly contribute on the subject of burgers): Big fan, actually where I’m from, Halifax, has one of the best burger weeks I’ve ever experienced!
And so we’ve opened up the conversation topics from insect food to burgers, burger week/themed food events, and Halifax/places we are from.