This is a slightly tricky balancing act we're talking about here, and it doesn't always come naturally to everyone. In general, you're going to need to be outgoing, but at the same time very cautious, always alert to signs that someone isn't interested in talking to you. If you're trying to have a conversation with someone, and they're ...
- Barely replying to your questions.
- Looking away.
- Reading a challenging text.
- Sprinting away from you.
... then you may be talking to someone who doesn't like you. Picking up on these conversational cues is important, because you're going to be doing a lot of talking, and you don't want to piss anyone off.
Not before they get a chance to really know you, anyways.
An Example:
Me: So how was your weekend?
Co-worker: Pretty good. Went up to the lake with some friends.
Me: -noticing he's engaged in the conversation; a good sign- Awesome. Awesome. I love lakes.
Co-worker: Yeah, it was fun.
Me: -noticing he didn't immediately invite me to the lake, wanting to back off, play it cool- Yeah, I'm kind of over lakes now.
Co-worker: You just said you loved lakes.
Me: -noticing that fucking Sherlock here is at least engaged in the conversation- Well, I mean, how are we defining love? Like would I marry a lake? No, of course not. Have I had an erection when inside a lake? Of course. So. You know. Catch-22.
Co-worker: -long open-mouthed stare- What was your name again?
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