The Fine Art of Small Talk: How to Start a Conversation, Keep It Going, Build Networking Skills -- And Leave a Positive Impression!

By Debra Fine

Book Overview

In this bestselling guide to social success, communication expert Debra Fine reveals the techniques and strategies for making small talk in any situation.

Help is on the way with The Fine Art of Small Talk, the classic guide that's now revised for the modern era. Small talk is more than just chitchat; it's a valuable tool to help you climb the corporate ladder, widen your business and social circles, and boost your self-confidence. With practical advice and simple conversation "cheat sheets," this book offers easy-to-learn techniques that will allow you to feel comfortable in any type of social situation--from a video meeting to a first date to a cocktail party where you don't know a soul. Nationally recognized communication expert Debra Fine will show you how to:

Learn to connect with others--regardless of the occasion, event, or situation Come across as composed and self-assured when entertaining Avoid awkward silences and "foot in mouth" disease Convey warmth and enthusiasm so that other people feel good about being near you Make a positive, lasting impression from the minute you say hello. Once you master The Fine Art of Small Talk, you'll excel at making others feel included, valued, and comfortable. Let Debra Fine turn you into a small-talk expert--and watch the contacts, business deals, and social relationships multiply before your eyes

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1401302262
• ISBN13: 9781401302269
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: Hachette Books
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.82 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

This was great!

I loved this book. I attend lots of meetings. Lots of opportunities for small talk while waiting for the meeting to start. Simple strategies to keep conversation going and avoid awkward silence. Great book. Super fast read.

A must read

You will not be disappointed!

Great read!

This book helped me understand how to keep a convo going. I work in a hospital and I deal with new patients all the time for about 30 min or so. Sometimes it can get awkwardly silent so this book helped me get out of my comfort zone and start a conversion with my patients! Totally recommend this book to anyone that needs a little guidance on small talk.

I'd like to review the other reviews. :)

When deciding whether or not to buy this book, you are obviously reading the reviews (otherwise you wouldn't be reading this. ;) ). Please think about the type of book this is as you read the reviews. This is a book designed for people who are more comfortable dealing with machines, numbers, logic, animals, etc., then they are with people. The author freely admits that she was an engineer and wrote this book to help other engineers and technical people. It is a beginner's book on how to interact with people. If you are married, for example, you probably don't need this book. You were able to talk to someone. I suspect the people who found it boring or uninformative were too advanced. Like a brain surgeon reading a high school biology book. But, if you're extremely shy and get really nervous when interacting with people, you must own this book.

Fianlly...help for the conversationally-challenged

The Fine Art of Small Talk is fantastic! Author Debra Fine gives wonderful ideas and tips for starting, maintaining and ending a conversation. The Fine Art of Small Talk is perfect for anyone who's less than completely secure about his or her conversation skills, anyone who wants to overcome feeling awkward or tongue-tied, and especially for anyone who wants to learn to gracefully deal with people who talk to much, offer unsolicited advice, etc., etc. I've found that the tips in the book are perfect for both business and social settings. I can tell that using the advice makes a big difference in how people respond. The Fine Art of Small Talk really has had a positive impact. Be warned, though: you may - as I did - see yourself among the list of the author's "conversation offenders!" Not surprisingly, the book is written in an engaging, conversational style and, in addition to being helpful, is extremely enjoyable.

Easy and quickly adaptable for social party , dinner

At the same time, I have ordered Debra's tape, I have bought also 7 others books and video, audio tapes from others authors, on the same subject of conversation. Debra's tape , definitely appears to me, easy, confortable, to apply for any occasions to talk to people Her voice is very friendly and warm. I am so glad to have found Debra' audio tape. She gives , not only advice and techniques, but immediate examples of small talk for introducing yourself , with warmness and giving people the chance and the desire to develop conversation with you. Usually, when invited to dinner, or cocktails , or meeting , I go with the apprehension to meet new people , and to be in the situation of nothing to say , and to appear not interesting to be with.The days after listening to Debra's tape, I have the opportunity to apply in a dinner . I was the guest on a table of 12 persons that I did not know. The evening was lovely, because at last I could engage conversation with new people, as if we were friends. I feel much more confortable ,in such short time and I know that with more training with this tape, I will allow myself, for near future, to love meeting new people, as well as to talk friendly with my clients, my hairdresser, old friends... I really recommend this tape to who wishes to leave a positive impression.

Entertaining and educational

Facilitated in a seminar setting, you listen and feel as though you are participating with the group. The conversation skills taught in this tape are well presented and Deborah is extremely motiviating. I am using her suggestions in practice and find that I am becoming more outgoing already as a result. You will truly see a positive difference in how people relate to you when you take the burden off of them and start the conversation yourself.