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Participate more on Hacker News than you currently do. Online conversation is usually vastly better than "water cooler" conversation IRL where people typically
by Mz 10y ago
Participate more on Hacker News than you currently do. Online conversation is usually vastly better than "water cooler" conversation IRL where people typically say nothing of real importance.
You could also try pursuing ride sharing arrangements. That can foster good conversation as well, while you are both stuck in the same vehicle, heading to or from work.
- dsacco 10y agoI'm going to push back on this and say practice talking to strangers in person, because common discussion on Hacker News is almost nothing like the way most people communicate with each other.
- Mz 10y agoI am just going to leave this here for anyone who cares to hear my POV: http://micheleincalifornia.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-art-of-conversation.html http://micheleincalifornia.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-art-of-c...
- wingerlang 10y agoOnline forums are not even remotely close to having a conversation in real life. It is silly to even suggest at that in my opinion. Since OP is asking for conversational skills, that seems to suggest that he actually wants to learn the "unimportant" water cooler talk.
- veddox 10y ago> Online conversation is usually vastly better than "water cooler" conversation IRL where people typically say nothing of real importance. Usually, the point of conversation isn't to "say something of importance". The point of most (private) conversation is to socialize, to get to know others better, to foster human bonds. And IMO, that is much more important...
- seanwilson 10y agoYeah, I never understand people that say they "hate small talk". I mean I hate conversations where you both have no interest in each other and are forced to chat about generic stuff to pass the time but I don't expect to solely talk about topics you would find in geek forums.
- seanwilson 10y ago> Participate more on Hacker News than you currently do. Online conversation is usually vastly better than "water cooler" conversation IRL where people typically say nothing of real importance. What does real importance mean? Not all conversations have to be about something deep. Talking about whatever and sharing stories is a way to enjoy the company of someone else and learn more about their past and personality which is important.