Small Talk

take the plunge: start a conversation! . 35
screen, he canceled them and told me to have a nice day!
When you use another person’s name sincerely in a conversation,
it makes that person feel special.
IT’S BETTER TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE
It’s just as important to give your name when you
meet someone—even if you’ve met him or her previously
and think they should remember your name. Consider it
a random act of kindness. Extend your hand. Hi, Patrick,
Debra Fine. How are you? By stating my name, I let
Patrick off the hook. If he had forgotten my name, it
didn’t show, and he didn’t have to waste conversation
time being distracted trying to recall my name.
My current, second, and very last husband is a periodontist.
As a group, periodontists are not known for
their charm or gregarious personalities. Frequently, when
we go out, his patients recognize him and start a conversation
without reintroducing themselves. My husband
doesn’t have a clue who they are and feels awkward. He
can’t include me in the conversation easily because he
can’t get through the introductions. Don’t ever assume
that someone who sees you infrequently will remember
your name, especially when they see you out of context.