Author Topic: 10 second convo's (Read 1313 times)

michigancat · March 18, 2009, 11:47:10 AM

So, like how do you make a 10 second conversation interesting?

I have a lot of these when I wait on the bus (<-LOL). Lots of people pass by, and I'm like, "Hey", and they're like "Nice weather, bye". Should I just give up? Any "tips"?

rundown87 · March 18, 2009, 11:51:12 AM

Quote from: michigancat on March 18, 2009, 11:47:10 AM

So, like how do you make a 10 second conversation interesting?

I have a lot of these when I wait on the bus (<-LOL). Lots of people pass by, and I'm like, "Hey", and they're like "Nice weather, bye". Should I just give up? Any "tips"?

Be better looking.

cas · March 18, 2009, 11:51:34 AM

Maybe something like "Josh Pastner. Good looking, no??"

Rick Daris · March 18, 2009, 11:52:40 AM

little convos like this are my worst nightmare. my suggestion is not to have them. hth.

rundown87 · March 18, 2009, 11:53:33 AM

Quote from: Rick Daris on March 18, 2009, 11:52:40 AM

little convos like this are my worst nightmare. my suggestion is not to have them. hth.

This also works, when people try to engage you in one, just look at them like you are better than them, then turn away.

Chingon · March 18, 2009, 11:56:36 AM

You can always start with wild accusations. That usually makes people at least slow down and notice.

For example:
"You think you're better than me?!"
or
"How about next time you clean up after you're done?"

You can also start your greetings with a thick Shakespearian bent. Instead of "Hey" start with "GOOD MORROW sir!".

When all else fails remember people find crazy people more interesting.

michigancat · March 18, 2009, 12:01:42 PM

I should note, that I am waiting in the lobby at work, so I "know" everyone that goes by. Just ignoring them is not an option.

Rick Daris · March 18, 2009, 12:23:32 PM

Quote from: michigancat on March 18, 2009, 12:01:42 PM

I should note, that I am waiting in the lobby at work, so I "know" everyone that goes by. Just ignoring them is not an option.

oh. either say something nice about something they are wearing or ask them a question about themselves or their kids if they have any (substitute pet if they don't have kids).

ex- "hey bill. how's little billy doing. he's what...two and a half now?"

"hi marjorie. i like your necklace. where did you get it?"

the key is to be short and sweet and end w/ a question so that they get to talk about themselves and you can then totally space off and think about your next musicblog entry or whatever. make them do most of the work. they'll be all "man that rus is one interesting guy!

"

BigCat · March 18, 2009, 12:26:37 PM

Some good suggestions here. Saying things outside of the normal flow of conversation can definitely kill any future discussion. So if you feel obligated to ten seconds but don't want it to drag on any longer than that, you can take a cue from a cabbie in Miami a few days ago. I asked when he pulled up if he could take a card since I didn't have any cash on me.

C: "How are you doing today my friend?"
Me: "Pretty good, and yourself?"
C: "Oh me, very good very good. Say friend, why you have to use a credit card huh? *now smirking in a condescending manner*
Me: "Oh, well I didn't have any cash on me."
C: "Whoa buddy, take it easy, I was only joking, you take things too serious! You have to chill out and relax my friend!"
Me: WTF?

That exchange made me mad so I didn't talk to him again for 45 minutes.

pissclams · March 18, 2009, 12:43:35 PM

sPy *TIP*: it's not important what you actually say. no one is paying any more attention to what you're saying then you are to their response. the key, or *TIP*, is to just finish what you're saying as quickly as you can, and while you're finishing, to chuckle. when they respond, chuckle again and use either a "definately", a "you never know!", or a "yup, I hear ya!" in your response.

sPy *TIP* #2: when you see subject of short convo approaching, grab cell phone out of pocket and open it/stare at it intently as if something very urgent has come up. "Hi Al, how are you?! - OMFG, I'm late for this conference call!!!111"

ew2x4 · March 18, 2009, 01:24:20 PM

What your end goal? Is it to carry on a conversation or simply acknowledge them? I would say a simple smile and "g'morning" would work for the majority of people. If you want to have a bit deeper conversation, ask a question. "Hey where's a good barber shop?" or "What type of gas millage do you get?".

steve dave · March 18, 2009, 02:06:51 PM

Make your picture of Bozo the Clown in the parade as your wallpaper on your phone.

d00d: Hey MichCat
MichCat: :flipsopenphoneandshowsBozo:
d00d: OMFG that's elite

Also, gives me an idea for another thread

willie83 · March 18, 2009, 02:27:49 PM

Quote from: michigancat on March 18, 2009, 11:47:10 AM

So, like how do you make a 10 second conversation interesting?

I have a lot of these when I wait on the bus (<-LOL). Lots of people pass by, and I'm like, "Hey", and they're like "Nice weather, bye". Should I just give up? Any "tips"?

Carry a mini teleprompter with you so someone can feed you interesting facts and numbers relevant to the initial encounter.

catdude33 · March 18, 2009, 02:39:37 PM

Quote from: pissclams on March 18, 2009, 12:43:35 PM

sPy *TIP* #2: when you see subject of short convo approaching, grab cell phone out of pocket and open it/stare at it intently as if something very urgent has come up. "Hi Al, how are you?! - OMFG, I'm late for this conference call!!!111"

I've fake talked on my phone a few times. Just use a lot of "yeahs" and "okays", like the other person is doing all the talking. Also helps to roll your eyes or look annoyed a few times like you wish they would stop talking so you could get off the phone. If you try to do all the talking everyone will know you are a fake. Learned that one the hard way.

sys · March 18, 2009, 02:51:40 PM

i'm learning a lot in this thread.

michigancat · March 18, 2009, 02:54:24 PM

I like the ask questions idea. Will try to ask simple ones that won't delay their trip home much.

sys · March 18, 2009, 02:59:01 PM

Quote from: michigancat on March 18, 2009, 02:54:24 PM

I like the ask questions idea. Will try to ask simple ones that won't delay their trip home much.

seems risky. what if the other person gets interested in talking and it turns into a 5 minute convo?

even worse, what if the other person transparently cuts you off with an "we have a 10 sec convo relationship, and i will not risk getting into a 5 min convo w you" attitude. bet you would feel bad then.

BeaumontCat1% · March 18, 2009, 03:27:20 PM

just grunt and turn up the volume on your ipod.

FelixRex · March 18, 2009, 05:15:52 PM

Depends on the people. Flirt with old ladies. Ask old men if they've seen such-and-such hot chick around the building. Tell pretty girls they look smart. Tell smart girls they look pretty.

Also, don't be afraid to mix in some "seasonal" spice. This time of year is always good for "You filled out a bracket yet?" (which obv morphs seamlessly into "How's your bracket? Yeeaaaahhh, mine too!" [wave hand here in "fuggitaboutit" way]).

TAFNA Dude · March 18, 2009, 07:02:42 PM

bitch about ohio state. hth.

michigancat · March 18, 2009, 08:28:41 PM

looks of female co-workers are off limits, bros.

love the bracket suggestion.

Thin Blue Line · March 18, 2009, 10:12:57 PM

Start off with, "I'm hung like a horse". Won't have to worry about any further convo, unless maybe it's a hot chick.

cas · March 18, 2009, 11:03:26 PM

I always just bring up the temperature in the room I am in.

"My god it's hot in here."

Person always agrees. Usually provides seamless transition to next level.

PCR · March 19, 2009, 01:54:43 PM

Felix: I suspect you're an extrovert, this discussion is for introverts (most of the rest of us) who hate talking to people (period). I'll keep your advice in mind for when I want people to think I'm the guy everyone should talk to.

Actually I can handle the 10 second conversation no problem. My nightmare is when they try to turn it into a 3 or 4 minute thing. Like they want to discuss Jay Cutler or some crap and I just shrug and giggle. I'm not sure what path the other person is going to take me down, but there's a pretty good chance I am not interested in it. Not to mention my hearing is terrible so I end up just having to say uh huh a lot.

BeaumontCat1% · March 19, 2009, 02:30:47 PM

Quote from: PCR on March 19, 2009, 01:54:43 PM

Felix: I suspect you're an extrovert, this discussion is for introverts (most of the rest of us) who hate talking to people (period). I'll keep your advice in mind for when I want people to think I'm the guy everyone should talk to.

Actually I can handle the 10 second conversation no problem. My nightmare is when they try to turn it into a 3 or 4 minute thing. Like they want to discuss Jay Cutler or some crap and I just shrug and giggle. I'm not sure what path the other person is going to take me down, but there's a pretty good chance I am not interested in it. Not to mention my hearing is terrible so I end up just having to say uh huh a lot.

Ditto. Rusty, curious why it's important for you to make idle conversation in this situation. You just strike me as the type to be fine giving a head-nod and leaving it at that.

Are you trying to make new friends in Michigan? If so, that's admirable, but don't bother with work people, imo. You'll just end up discussing how much you hate your boss in your free time.

michigancat · March 19, 2009, 03:33:26 PM

Quote from: spani on March 19, 2009, 02:30:47 PM

Ditto. Rusty, curious why it's important for you to make idle conversation in this situation. You just strike me as the type to be fine giving a head-nod and leaving it at that.

Are you trying to make new friends in Michigan? If so, that's admirable, but don't bother with work people, imo. You'll just end up discussing how much you hate your boss in your free time.

Not really trying to make friends. Just trying to be nice w/o looking like a dork.

Making friends in Michigan when you have been moved there for work is another thread entirely, though. NO ONE in Michigan didn't grow up in Michigan. NO ONE! Except for Rusty.

PCR · March 19, 2009, 03:35:23 PM

Are the accents driving you nuts yet?

michigancat · March 19, 2009, 03:38:10 PM

Quote from: PCR on March 19, 2009, 03:35:23 PM

Are the accents driving you nuts yet?

Yeah. It makes it easy to spot the other 3 non-Michigan natives, though. They stick out like crazy.

My yoga instructor (

) makes the accent really odd.

FelixRex · March 19, 2009, 03:41:48 PM

Ten-second convos are actually great for people/introverts who don't want to be forced to talk to people but want to be polite and all that. They're a great deflection mechanism for keeping actual relationships at bay (there also the reason that the "neighbors" and co-workers on the news are always like "but he was such a nice guy before throwing those vietnamese children of that bridge").

Trim · April 25, 2009, 02:18:02 PM

http://www.amazon.com/Theres-Office-Meaningless-Coworkers-Conversation/dp/1569757011

http://www.adamcarolla.com/2009/04/23/acp-20090423-adam-jake-lentz-and-paul-koehorst/

Author Topic: 10 second convo's (Read 1313 times)

rundown87

rundown87