Making small talk can be uncomfortable—especially at international conferences and networking events where you might be paired with a stranger from a different culture. These tips can help you start a conversation with anyone from anywhere—confidently and respectfully.
 
Find common ground. You might break the ice by asking questions about the conference: What brought them to the event? What sessions are they interested in attending? Do they plan to listen to the keynote later? Is this their first time attending this conference? And so on.
 
Ask open-ended questions. For example, rather than asking, “Do you like the conference?” try asking, “What do you think of the conference so far?” This subtle change in phrasing opens up a wider range of potential answers.
 
Share something about yourself. When you share semi-personal information—for example that you’re feeling sleep deprived with a new baby at home—you remove some of the guesswork for the other person and allow them to feel like they’re getting to know you.
 
Simply say hello. Especially if you find small talk hard to navigate, stick to the basics. Offer a friendly greeting, introduce yourself, and say you’d like to get better acquainted.
This tip is adapted from “How to Make Small Talk with Anyone from Anywhere,” by Melissa Hahn and Andy Molinsky
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