Small Talk

keep the conversation going! . 47
PARTY OF FIVE
It’s tough for a conversational novice to break into a
two-person chat, let alone a group of five or more. A
group this size is usually well entrenched, and it requires
covert operations to infiltrate. Use these tactics when you
find it necessary or desirable to get engaged with these
folks:
• Show interest in the speaker, but stand
slightly away from the group. A group this
size is slow to warm, so first let them become
accustomed to seeing you. Slowly, they will
shift to bring you into the circle.
• Ease into the group by demonstrating that
you’ve been listening. Look for welcoming
signs such as them asking your opinion or
physically shifting positions to better include
you.
• Initially, it is best to find a point of
agreement; barring that, just
acknowledge the speaker. Wait before