Small Talk

prevent pregnant pauses with preparation . 95
discuss breast cancer. Your choice of conversation material
should be appropriate to the occasion and to the
depth of rapport and intimacy established.
I recently attended a luncheon where I was seated at
one of those round tables with seven people I had never
met. We came to a lull in the conversation that instantly
made everyone decide it was time to look at his or her
pagers for messages. I assumed the burden of conversation
and jumped in with a story about a vacation that my
family had taken over spring break. I said, We went on a
Club Med vacation in Mexico last spring and had a great time.
It was so hassle-free I couldn’t believe it. Since you pay a flat fee
for everything, I didn’t have to fish for money every time the kids
wanted a Coke. They just went and got it. It seemed so effortless,
and there were activities for all of us.
My vacation story accomplished three things that rejuvenated
the conversation. First, I told something about
myself, giving others the opportunity to feel more connected
to me. Increasing that comfort level stimulates
conversation. Second, I offered a new topic that gave material
for the others to use. Third, it gave my tablemates
the chance to share their own experiences. Our conversation
sprang to life immediately, as others jumped in with
questions, stories, and vacation plans of their own.