Striking Up Conversation

[HEIsRiSen]

This is typically, if not always, how the interaction between two people begins. Somebody has to make the a move and just say something, anything (OK, well maybe not anything...). There is not much potential for any sort of meaningful interaction between two people if both remain silent. Maybe you've been on a date where neither you nor your date said much of anything and it quickly became boring or awkward or both! Communicating and conversing with others is essential in the pursuit and growth of any relationship, platonic, romantic or otherwise.

Here are a few questions on this subject:

• Are you comfortable striking up a conversation with a stranger, or somebody you hardly know?
• Are you comfortable when a stranger attempts to converse with you?
• Would you rather take the initiative in starting a conversation or wait for it to be initiated?
• Once a person initiates conversation, how willing are you to contribute?
• Do you prefer deep conversation over superficial or visa versa? Why?

 

[Jullianna]

Are you comfortable striking up a conversation with a stranger, or somebody you hardly know? Yes, I have a quiet nature, but I'm friendly.
Are you comfortable when a stranger attempts to converse with you? Most of the time. I will at least manage polite until I've heard them out.
Would you rather take the initiative in starting a conversation or wait for it to be initiated? I would rather not take the initiative, but I can if the need arises.
Once a person initiates conversation, how willing are you to contribute? I usually respond politely in any given conversation, but I won't encourage a long conversation if it's just small talk.
Do you prefer deep conversation over superficial or visa versa? I reeeeeeallly stink at small talk. I need something of substance to engage.

 

[rachelsedge]

Are you comfortable striking up a conversation with a stranger, or somebody you hardly know?
I'm like Jullianna in that I have a quiet, reserved nature, but I'm also very friendly and I'm willing to talk to just about anyone. I can get along with most people, even if we're pretty different.

Are you comfortable when a stranger attempts to converse with you?
As long as they're being kind! I'm pretty naive when it comes to knowing when I'm being flirted with, but if the first thing someone says to me is obviously flirty, I'm turned off to talking to them pretty much right away.

Would you rather take the initiative in starting a conversation or wait for it to be initiated?
I think that depends on the situation. If I'm new somewhere, I usually wait for it to be initiated with me first (though I'm not really afraid to initiate it myself). If I'm in an established group of some sort (work, church, etc) and there is someone new, I try to initiate conversation with them to make them feel welcome.

Once a person initiates conversation, how willing are you to contribute?
I'm pretty willing. I like when people can keep up a conversation. When people on CC start PMing me with things like "hey" and then can't seem to have anything past an "lol" when I respond, I just want to be like "Really? You started a conversation to not have a conversation?"

Do you prefer deep conversation over superficial or visa versa? Why?
I love deep conversations! I'm one of "those people" who will stargaze with a friend and ask deep questions and have deep, meaningful conversations. I'm not too bad at small talk, though, and with strangers I don't know how deep I'd go just yet. Theologically, I can go pretty deep just meeting (if the other party is willing), but on a personal level, it generally takes a while for me to trust you enough to talk deep.

 

[AsifinPassing]

This is typically, if not always, how the interaction between two people begins. Somebody has to make the a move and just say something, anything (OK, well maybe not anything...). There is not much potential for any sort of meaningful interaction between two people if both remain silent. Maybe you've been on a date where neither you nor your date said much of anything and it quickly became boring or awkward or both! Communicating and conversing with others is essential in the pursuit and growth of any relationship, platonic, romantic or otherwise.

Here are a few questions on this subject:

• Are you comfortable striking up a conversation with a stranger, or somebody you hardly know?
• Are you comfortable when a stranger attempts to converse with you?
• Would you rather take the initiative in starting a conversation or wait for it to be initiated?
• Once a person initiates conversation, how willing are you to contribute?
• Do you prefer deep conversation over superficial or visa versa? Why?

Thank you for posting! Here are a few answers to your questions:
> I can always strike up a conversation with a stranger, or someone I hardly know, whether or not I'm comfortable.
> In most cases, I enjoy when people care that I exist, so I'm happy to speak with anyone who wishes to do so.
> I'll do either with equal preference. Usually the clencher proves to be mood and mindset for me.
> I communicate effectively in most cases, and am very willing to contribute, but I'll add a proverb to this answer:

"Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue." - Proverbs 17:28

> Generally, I am more concerned with deep, meaningful conversation. I'm concerned with the true reality of who you are on a deeper plane of existence than most show, or some are even aware of. That said, I actively engage in all types of conversation. Rome wasn't built in a day, and Likewise, I cannot unlock the deepest mysteries of your heart, mind, soul, and life if not willing to journey through every level with you.


...and just to be that guy...here's a video:

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► 2:57► 2:57​

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[TD]Nonverbal Communication - YouTube

youtube.comDec 8, 2007 - 3 min - Uploaded by SunshineStudiosInc
These Movie clips help demonstrate the ability to communicate without saying a word.[/TD]
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[NukePooch]

Here are a few questions on this subject:

• Are you comfortable striking up a conversation with a stranger, or somebody you hardly know? Nope. Very difficult for me to talk to those I don't know.
• Are you comfortable when a stranger attempts to converse with you? Not usually. I try, but it usually comes out wrong.
• Would you rather take the initiative in starting a conversation or wait for it to be initiated? I pick the third option, no conversation unless it's necessary.
• Once a person initiates conversation, how willing are you to contribute? If with a stranger, not very willing.
• Do you prefer deep conversation over superficial or visa versa? Why? Deep conversation. Superficial small talk serves little to no purpose to me.

 

[HEIsRiSen]

I'm pretty comfortable with talking to strangers and most often it is just small talk- be it exchanging a few words while standing in the check-out line, or making a comment on an item I see somebody looking at. I welcome interaction from strangers and get it quite often. Once a person starts talking to me I will contribute to keep the conversation going as long as I feel that they are comfortable. However, I am considered by many to be more of a listener than a talker and I do have my silent moments. I am pretty skilled with the small talk, but I prefer deep conversation. Deep conversation allows one to get to know another on a deeper, more intimate level. I also think that taking part in deep conversation has a way of drawing to people closer together.

Substance is a good word to use there Jullianna.

I found it hilarious that you mentioned the chat room Rachel, there are so many times I have had a person private message me with "Hi", only to not say anything else, almost like they expect me to be the one to keep the conversation going after they initiated it.

Asif, the proverb you mentioned seems to always come to my mind either before or during a conversation. I have done quite a bit of research on body language, since a lot of times it communicates more than what is being said with words. It helps me to listen to people more effectively and I can see what the person is saying instead of just hearing it.

Nuke, you have never appeared to be the "silent" type in my eyes.

 

[NukePooch]

Nuke, you have never appeared to be the "silent" type in my eyes.

I'm not as quiet once I get to know people...it just takes a while. Being online takes that part out of it and I can be all the buffoon that I can be.

When I go to church and the preacher calls for the meet-n-greet time to 'get up and shake someone's hand', I generally have already said hello to the people around me so I just sit down. I've never understood those who I've already said hi to who feel the need to come over and say hi again.

 

[LightningClap0002]

This is typically, if not always, how the interaction between two people begins. Somebody has to make the a move and just say something, anything (OK, well maybe not anything...). There is not much potential for any sort of meaningful interaction between two people if both remain silent. Maybe you've been on a date where neither you nor your date said much of anything and it quickly became boring or awkward or both! Communicating and conversing with others is essential in the pursuit and growth of any relationship, platonic, romantic or otherwise.

Here are a few questions on this subject:

• Are you comfortable striking up a conversation with a stranger, or somebody you hardly know? Not usually, though there have been a few times that I've felt like I needed to.
• Are you comfortable when a stranger attempts to converse with you? Yeah, I'm generally friendly and will try to continue conversation with most people.
• Would you rather take the initiative in starting a conversation or wait for it to be initiated? If it's a friend, I have no problem initiating it. If it's a stranger, I usually wait.
• Once a person initiates conversation, how willing are you to contribute? I almost always contribute and normally try to extend the conversation. I do really enjoy conversation as long as the subject is not me.
• Do you prefer deep conversation over superficial or visa versa? Why? I'm kind of equal opportunity here. I'm not often in a situation where I really have the time to dig into deep conversation. I miss those times when I really could. But thankfully I do have the internet so I can at least somewhat engage in them. Thanks all of you!!

Interesting questions!

 

[DuchessAimee]

• Are you comfortable striking up a conversation with a stranger, or somebody you hardly know? Yes and no. I will usually wait for someone else to start a conversation with me, but if I know you, I'm more comfy.

• Are you comfortable when a stranger attempts to converse with you? Sure, I don't have an issue with that.

• Would you rather take the initiative in starting a conversation or wait for it to be initiated? I would rather wait.

• Once a person initiates conversation, how willing are you to contribute? I'm very willing to contribute but sometimes I get shy and need the other person to ask me questions.

• Do you prefer deep conversation over superficial or visa versa? Why? Deep conversation. I'm not good at small talk.

 

[Tintin]

• Are you comfortable striking up a conversation with a stranger, or somebody you hardly know?
  No. Absolutely not.
• Are you comfortable when a stranger attempts to converse with you?
  It depends on the situation. Every day events - yes, parties etc. - no.
• Would you rather take the initiative in starting a conversation or wait for it to be initiated?
  Not sure.
• Once a person initiates conversation, how willing are you to contribute?
  If the conversation is interesting, I'm very willing to contribute.
• Do you prefer deep conversation over superficial or visa versa? Why?
  I hate small talk, it bores me. I love deep discussion about faith, life in general, also books, movies etc.