You’ve probably been charmed by someone in more ways than one. Whether it’s a simple, sunny “Hello” in the morning or a nice gesture from an unexpected person, there are certain people who seem to have a knack for exuding a confident atmosphere that invites you in.
These people are not just confident—they have a sociable nature that others just can’t help but be attracted to. Here are a few simple steps on how to turn that dark aura into a radiant glow of innocence and friendliness.
Don’t be afraid of small talk
Small talk has always received negative attention, particularly because it seems like a waste of words. You talk about the weather, last night’s show reruns, today’s cafeteria menu—mostly meaningless things that you use to fill those silent, awkward moments.
But if used in the right situation, small talk can be surprisingly useful in acquainting with other people. Because you aren’t (technically) getting on someone’s nerves with opinions or sensitive issues, it allows you to get the ball rolling. Plus it gives you the excuse to start a conversation.
Learn how to compliment people
Of course, this doesn’t mean taking it to the extreme of saying every single nice thing about him or her. You can come off as something of a suck-up or worse, a social climber, depending on the situation.
Drop a quick compliment or two for something really noticeable or, if you know the person a little better, say something nice that you subtly noticed, like a new dress or a slight weight loss.
Remember, a few nice words go a long way.
Take note of your body language
Not everything is in the words you say—it can be in what your body says.
Conversations are made up of both verbal and nonverbal language. More often than not, particularly for strangers or first-time acquaintances, the latter is more important because it is subconsciously done and it tells the other person how you feel about the time you spend talking with each other.
When talking to a new acquaintance, try to project an open attitude with your body alone. Instead of crossing your arms in front of your chest or backing away from the person you are talking to. A more open disposition allows other person to feel at ease with you, instead of feeling anxious if you have a defensive attitude.
Manage negative emotions
Whether you are faced with a stranger or a friend, there will always come a time when you feel as if you’ve had enough. He may have said something that came off as an insult or she may have gotten on your nerves by being so tactless and impolite.
But whatever the reason or cause may be, the best thing for you to do is to remain positive and manage your negative emotions. For some people, they may not even notice what they’re doing, so just try to steer the conversation away from the uncomfortable topic.
Include the shy ones
If you a naturally extroverted person, you can easily fit and interact with a crowd of your own will. You are one of those who are blessed with the gift of sociability, and in most cases, you don’t need a friendly push to get you rolling with crowd.
But you should also be aware of the shy, introverted ones who may want to join the crowd but have no idea on how to do so. They may be really shy or they may even be waiting for someone to introduce them to the crowd. Be that friendly person!
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