besides talking about ourselves, what topics do most of your

[sfboi415]

friends like to hear during a conversation? It is hard for me to self-disclose at times, so I talk about external things, and not something that I saw on the TV news. Noooooooooooo way! Really, the news where I'm from is shallow and usually shows negative content 70% of the time.

So, back to conversations..

I went to NPR's website just to get an idea of what various things I could talk about in a conversation..or bring up in a social group discussion.

NPR: Business, People and Places, Health and Science, Books, Music, Arts and Culture, Diversions. I'd like to add something as well: How-to Knowledge/Experience In Something

BTW, does anyone know of online web resources that teach people how to put more emotion and enthusiasm in their speaking..or would I just have to take an acting class?

[easyguy]

News almost everywhere is negative content nowadays. A shooting here, car accident there, Iraq, etc. For my English class last year we somehow had a unit that talked about the news and the content they cover on a day-to-day basis. One of our assignments was to jot down the negative and positive stories in one newscast. I think it was negative to positive, 7 to 1.

 

Anyway, definitely the older you get, especially out of high school (which you are), the less popular gossip becomes. Guys and girls my age are all about gossip, Ben and Jen, getting wasted at some party the other night, whatever.

 

I'm not as old as you yet, though I am mature for my age, I would think those are good topics, but just remember who you are talking to when discussing those. Maybe some of your friends don't dig sports, or aren't into the sciences.. I don't know. I don't know your friends.

 

And about that enthusiasm thing, I wouldn't think it'd be as easy as finding a website. Not sure what the best way to put more emotion and enthusiasm into your speaking would be, but definitely not being shy is the best thing I can think of.

 

Just my 2 cents.

[hazlcha]

Interesting question. If you're an intellectual type, go with what interests you. No need to talk trivial stuff if you don't like it.

 

As for the "feeling" thing, the acting class idea has a plus and a minus. I'm an actor, so I appreciate the skills to connect with a character and to hold your focus. Those are good things.

 

The down side is that when in conversation, you don't want to be acting. You want to be real. It's OK to be serious at times, it's okay to be dry even. Not everything has to be melodrama. I would simply suggest being what we call "in your body." That means you allow yourself to feel whatever emotions come during conversation and allow yourself to react to them. Sometimes, people can "disconnect" from themselves and put on a stolid face. Be real, and that's plenty.

 

One other technique borrowed from acting classes is called mirroring, and some recommend it for conversation. It means that you try to be in the same mode as the person you talk to. Use a similar tone of voice, sit in a similar way. It's not mimicking - that is rude. It's simply establishing rapport by being similar. It helps loosen up conversation a bit. Try it, it may be for you, it may not. I've seen it recommended to occasionally break rapport by making a change in posture or voice tone in order to "lead" the conversation. See what works for you.

 

Hope this helps.

[jurupa]

Anyway, definitely the older you get, especially out of high school (which you are), the less popular gossip becomes. Guys and girls my age are all about gossip, Ben and Jen, getting wasted at some party the other night, whatever.

I would say that it does "die" down some, but I bet you if you see two girls that are in there 20's at a coffe shop they are most probably gosiping almot 90% of the time. Heck my mom stills goisps and shes 60. Gosip in high school and out of high school is also different, besides the topics that are talked about (ie Jonny getting wasted last night). Another thing guys that are your age use gosip to get to know girls and hook up with them, very few guys are actually into gosip.