Don't Be That Person

 Being a party guest is easy. Being a great party guest takes work.

3 Tiers of Good Conversation

Tier one is safe territory: sports, the weather, pop culture, local celebrities and any immediate shared experience (that free information Ms. Fine talks about).

Tier two is potentially controversial: religion, politics, dating and love lives. “Test the waters, and back away if they’re not interested,” he warned.

Tier three includes the most intimate topics: family and finance. Those sorts of questions can also become exclusionary, so think about everyone involved in the conversation before you start. 

Be More Interested to Be More Interesting

Don’t head to a party with the intent of leaving everyone in stitches, unless perhaps you’re a professional comedian. This is especially helpful advice for introverts.

If you just talk a lot you might get exhausted, but if you ask questions and listen and draw people out, they’ll think you’re a great conversationalist.

Don't Be a Conversation Hog

We’ve all been involved in those irritating conversations where we never seem to be able to get a word in edgewise. Unfortunately, we may have been on the other side, too. 

To be a true conversation superstar, try these tips: 

• Be attentive and give eye contact.

• Make active and engaged expressions.

• Repeat back what you’ve heard, and follow up with questions. 

• If you notice something you want to say, don’t say it. Challenge it and go back to listening. 

• For bonus points, wait an hour to bring up that thing you didn’t say earlier.

And keep in mind that when you say something declarative, seek out the other person’s opinion as well.