By Lynn Elsey   |  6 March 2018

Three ways to make talking to strangers easier

Ever pull out your smartphone to avoid talking to strangers at a conference or luncheon?

Even the most gregarious among us can find starting conversations with people we don’t know tiring – introverted people can find it quite stressful.

However, a little bit of preparation can go a long way to make socialising at your next event more enjoyable if you remember that networking, like most professional endeavours, usually benefits from a bit of planning.

Here are three ways to make talking to strangers easier:  

1. Come prepared with opened-ended questions

Showing genuine interest in what someone else thinks can open up a useful exchange of information and ideas. For example:

• What’s the best thing that happened to you last week?
• What’s the most challenging project you are working on right now?
• Why did you decide to come to this event?
• What did you think about that last speaker?

Think of questions that fit your personality and the occasion. Make them sound like a normal piece of conversation rather than an inquisition. 

2. Do your homework 

Research a couple of people who will be attending the event and track them down to talk about a specific aspect of their work or life that interests you. Knowing someone’s background makes them seem more familiar; almost everyone appreciates having a recent success or project recognised. 

3. Be honest 

Dorie Clark, an adjunct professor of business administration at Duke University and self-described introvert admits: “I’ve often simply said: ‘I don’t know anyone here. Can I talk to you?’ No one has ever said no.”