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Small Talk

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146 . the fine art of small talk<br />

Social: Ask for Referrals<br />

• I’d like to find someone who’s interested in hiking<br />

or who has info on hiking groups. Do you know<br />

whether anyone here can help me?<br />

• Do you know anyone here who’s also new to this<br />

area?<br />

• I’m going to look for someone interested in<br />

volunteer activities.<br />

• Who do you know that might enjoy watching the<br />

New York Giants game this Monday night?<br />

THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD<br />

A time-honored tradition of leaving a conversation is<br />

executing the changing of the guard. When a new person<br />

enters the group and begins talking to one or two people,<br />

one or more other people bow out. It is a quick and easy<br />

escape used by people all the time. The downside of this<br />

technique is that it only facilitates an exit, but if you are<br />

just looking for the nearest emergency exit, this is your<br />

ticket.<br />

A slight variation on the theme is to take your conversation<br />

partner with you as you exit. This can be done

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