Small Talk
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86 . the fine art of small talk<br />
while. You have some history together, you know a bit<br />
about each other, and you don’t have a clue what’s<br />
changed in the year since you last saw each other. In fact,<br />
it’s good to assume that things probably have changed.<br />
Suppose you see a colleague annually at an industry function.<br />
In the past twelve months your colleague may have<br />
gotten a different job, experienced the death of a close<br />
friend or relative, gone on an extraordinary vacation, had<br />
a spiritual awakening, or gotten married or divorced. In<br />
other words, don’t presume that you are picking up a<br />
conversation that started a year ago. Without asking So<br />
what’s new?, a question that begs the conversationstopping<br />
answer Not much, seek out what’s new and keep<br />
the conversation rolling with questions like these:<br />
With Acquaintances Use<br />
• Bring me up to date on . . .<br />
• What’s been going on with work since I last saw<br />
you?<br />
• What has changed in your life since we spoke last?<br />
• How’s your year been?<br />
• What’s new with the family?
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