The Fine Art of Small Talk

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By: Debra Fine
(65 customer reviews)
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EDITORIAL REVIEW

Do you spend an abnormal amount of time hiding out in the bathroom or hanging out at the buffet table at social gatherings? Does the thought of striking up a conversation with a stranger make your stomach do flip-flops? Do you sit nervously through job interviews waiting for the other person to speak? Are you a Nervous Ned? (or Nervous Nellie?) when it comes to networking? Then it's time you mastered The Fine Art Of Small Talk. With practical advice and conversation cheat sheets, The Fine Art of Small Talk will help you learn to feel more comfortable in any type of situation, from lunch with the boss to a networking event to a cocktail party where you don't know a soul. Do you dread corporate cocktail parties where you are expected to schmooze with complete strangers? Do job interviews, blind dates or holiday functions make you clam up, searching frantically for things to say? When speaking with someone you ve just met, do you expect him or her to keep the conversation going? Then the THE FINE ART OF SMALL TALK by Debra Fine is for you. This is a collection of concrete steps and tactics one can employ to begin a meaningful conversation with just about anybody in any situation. THE FINE ART OF SMALL TALK teaches you how to: Start a conversation even when you think you have nothing to say Avoid foot-in-mouth disease Prevent awkward pauses Adopt listening skills that will make you a better conversationalist Approach social functions with confidence Feel more at ease at parties, meetings, job interviews and trade shows Turn every conversation into an opportunity for success Make sure your body language is inviting and natural Use icebreakers that work every time Stabilize your shaky knees and dry your sweaty palms Exit conversations with tact and grace Make the most of networking events Mingle with moxie

PRODUCT DETAILS

Publisher: Small Talk Publishing
Pub. Date: 20th January 2004
Catalog: Book
Media: Audio CD
Format: Audiobook
Ean: 9780971132238
Isbn: 0971132232

ABOUT THIS BOOK

USER REVIEWS

Boring. Not helpful at all
~ Written on Jul 27, 2009. 1 out of 2 users found this review helpful.

The "icebreakers" proposed by the author, supposedly to be the jewel of this book, involve so many personal questions. I am afraid that that will do more harm than good to people whose targets are conservatives. Furthermore, the author had wasted too much time to elaborate the importance of small talk. I think the potential readers know that well or they wont pick this book up at all. Even worse, the writing is real boring. In short, not recommended. For those who want to read something to reduce their fear in public gatherings or to improve their social skills, "How to Have Confidence and Power in Dealing With People by Les Giblin", "How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie", "How to Talk to Anyone: 92 Little Tricks for Big Success in Relationships by Leil Lowndes" are much better alternatives.

Life changing book
~ Written on Dec 14, 2008. out of users found this review helpful.

This book truly changed my life. It contains tools that actually turned social contact from a dread to a delight for me. Thanks to the tools offered in this book, I am no longer clueless at conversations. I used to believe that good communication skills are inherited not learned, and I surely didn't have them. But practicing the skills taught in this book has actually turned me into a confident small talker. The book has fundamentally changed my viewpoint about social contact. I look forward to parties and social events now and get great feedback too. The book simply and clearly delivers what the author claims in the title. I recommend it to everyone: people who shy away from social events as well as natural smooth talkers.

Lightweight Little Book
~ Written on Nov 22, 2008. out of users found this review helpful.

I think this book is helpful, but too narrow in its focus. I think it could be seriously expanded on to include family and friends too, not just business social situations which seems to be the focus.
The type is set wide so they could fill pages on this one. Still a good start on the subject, but I would try something else if I was only to buy one book on the subject.

Boring
~ Written on Aug 14, 2008. 1 out of 2 users found this review helpful.

I got Debra's book on CD. She talks about very basic stuff for a long time in a very boring way. In addition, she is not a good speaker. In fact she sounds like a very poor actress. I don't recommend that CD unless you are looking for a very basic stuff such as how to introduce yourself. If I could return it, I would do it.

Adding a dimension to a fine book
~ Written on May 27, 2008. 2 out of 2 users found this review helpful.

I periodically teach a course for newly-hired and largely inexperienced application software consultants, "Soft Skills." This book with its imparted wisdoms from a person who climbed the ladder so to speak and its practical, checklist approach is one of the best I have read. I recommend it to my classes.
It is probably worthwhile for persons interested in effective human-to-human communication to also consider that knowledge of non-verbal communication and an ability to handle contentious issues are also key elements. Adding these to this fine book would make it less accessible so I recommend that persons who seek competence in this area explore these other topics as well.

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