Just Walking Around

I am reproducing an article written and published in my Engineering College Magazine Vishwakarma nearly 20 years ago but more relevant today more than ever…

When people find less time interacting with each other and are more on their mobiles and iPads and content at being in the Virtual World and measuring their lives with the Thumbs Up icon universal sign of Like.. So here goes a small blog..

The Art Of Small Talk

In today’s world of fast paced life no person has time for long leisurely talks with one another . Thus it has become important to know the art of small talk. The art can easily be cultivated if one knows the basic rule “act on opportunity”. The best issues on which small talk can be started are Politics , Sports and Films. Let us take these three subjects separately.

Politics as we know in India is a hotly debated topic. Where ever you go and at any time during the day. This topic is the most easy one to talk on .You need not be an expert in Political Science to talk about politics. All you need to know are some of the political figures both at the State level and National level and the latest hotly debated controversial topics related to our Neta’s  , their Scams , the Criminal –Politician nexus and such other issues. That’s all and you have a situation where in two persons or a group of people engaging themselves in a small talk about politics. But care should be taken that under no circumstances should you go into the details about this topic otherwise it may result in arguments and spoil the fun of the small talk.

The second most favored topic for small talk is Sports in broader perspective and cricket or soccer in particular. If you are a resident of Amchi Mumbai then it has to be Cricket . But to have a small conversation on this subject you need to be aware of the current series / matches being played at the time of the conversation , which part of the world they are being played . Also it’s a plus point if you know some basic Statistics such as which Bowler took how many wickets in how few balls , which batsman scored how many runs against the opponent team. What is his Strike rate and how he fares in International conditions viz-a-viz domestic flat pitches. As you know most of our Indian batsmen at Tigers on Indian brown and flat pitches and turn into meek cats when they bat on pacer friendly green tops.

But here again you need to be cautious to not delve deep into the Match history or you will be caught and bowled by a cricket crazy fan and an expert on Cricketing History who may throw Cricket statistics at you like bouncers from a West India Pacer like Ian Bishop or Curtly Ambrose. And you will bowled over in no time. Such an expert always relishes such situation where he can pounce on a gullible victims like a hungry Tiger on a meek Lamb.. Otherwise this is the safest topic to start a conversation even with a total stranger. Exchange a few lines and who know you will have found a new friend on the horizon.

I would have loved to tell you all on how to converse about film based topics but it has more gossip to it than any substance.

Anyways knowing these three subjects of Politics , Sports and Films one can easily start a small conversation ,any time ,any where and with any one ,even with total strangers . Just try it the next time you are in group and enjoy a one on one personal interaction.

Have fun..Conversing ..A real interaction than a virtual interaction.