Tips for talking to new people

1. Break the barrier. Share your thoughts, opinions and beliefs with the other person. Risk offending them or coming across as weird. If they do not like you, it is better to end your interactions now. Do not share overly personal details, e.g disturbing habits

2. Ask questions to find a common interest. Keep asking until they show enthusiasm about a topic (their face might light up). Consider yourself and don't talk about something that bores you.

3. Be enthusiastic. It is boring to talk with monotone, without expressions and gestures. Make talking to you enjoyable and something to look forward to.

4. To make an impression it is how you make the person feel, not the words you say. People will not remember if you stuttered or care if you use advance vocabulary. You do not need to be a perfectionist at speaking. They will remember if you make them laugh or think hard about something.

5. Be interested to be interesting. Do not think of a response while they are speaking. If you listen to what they are saying, you will come up with better, more detailed and more relevant follow ups.

6. When an awkward pause arises, comment on something in the immediate environment (people, objects, anything!). Awkward moments are only awkward when you make them so. If you don't care and show it, the other person will feel at ease and comfortable around you.

7. Give a compliment followed by an assumption e.g you are really funny, are you are comedian?

8. turn the conversation into a guessing game e.g instead of 'where are you from?' use 'let me guess, are you from Canada because.....'

9. ask for their opinion or advice e.g who do you think has the best fashion sense in this room? or What food should order for the party? When you ask for opinions you can set a playful, jesting and comfortable mood.