Starting Conversations
What is one way to greet a friend?
"Hey." "Hi." "Hello." "What's up?" "How are you?"
True or False: You should listen carefully to the person who is speaking.
True
What are some ways to you show you are paying attention to someone?
Body orientation, head up, nodding
What is an example of a conversation ending phrase?
Examples: 'I have to get going now.', 'I should get going.', 'I have to head out.'
Zena is waiting in line at the grocery store. She is behind a mom with three kids. All of the kids are yelling, and Zena asks the mom if she can try to control her kids.
Is this comment expected or unexpected?
This comment is... unexpected.
We do not know why the kids are yelling; however, saying this comment to the mom is not going to help, and it comes across as rude.
You just met someone new. What should you do first?
Say hello and introduce yourself.
Your friend says, "Hi, how are you today?" What can you say to keep the conversation going?
"I'm good. How are you?"
How does this person feel: head down, frowning, face in hands?
Sad/upset
What are some signs that your conversation partner wants to end the conversation?
Examples: Looking away, looking bored, using conversation ending phrases.
Jasper doesn't like the jeans his teacher is wearing. He looks at her says, "Those are the ugliest jeans I've ever seen."
Is this comment expected or unexpected?
This comment is... unexpected.
It is extremely inappropriate to comment on someone's clothing-- especially a teacher's outfit. While Jasper might not like the jeans, it is not his job to point this out to his teacher.
What are the '2 W's' of small talk?
Weather
Weekend
To keep a conversation going, you should: a) ignore the speaker b) ask a follow-up question/ make a connected comment c) look away.
b) ask a follow-up question/ make a connected comment
How does this person feel: loud voice, hands on hips/folded tightly over chest, eyebrows down?
Angry
Your friend has just been telling you about their new TV show they have been watching. Give an example of a summarizing comment you can make to end the conversation.
Rachel and Jasmine are best friends. Rachel tells Jasmine that she looks tired and asks if she is okay?
Is this comment expected or unexpected?
This comment is... expected.
Rachel and Jasmine are best friends. It is fine to ask your best friend if she is okay because she looks tired. This is showing that you care about your friend.
You want to start a conversation with someone by giving them a compliment. What could you say?
Examples: 'I like your shoes! Where did you get them?', 'Nice hat!', 'I like the way you did your hair today.'
Your friend says ‘Hey, I just listened to a new song’. Make a connected comment or question to keep the conversation going.
Examples: 'Tell me about the song!', 'What song was it?', 'I have a new song that I'm liking too - what's yours?'
How does this person feel: tapping feet, shuffling things from side to side, rolling eyes?
Impatient, bored, irritated, not interested, annoyed
A friend is talking to you in the hallway. You need to go get back to class. What could you say to end the conversation?
"Sorry, I have to get going." "I have to get to class, but I'll talk to you later."
Sasha walks into History class and notices her teacher looks tired. She tells her teacher her face looks very tired.
Is this comment expected or unexpected?
This comment is... unexpected.
Even if Sasha's teacher looks tired, it still isn't okay to tell her teacher this. These kind of comments are better for family and close friends. A teacher may not like you telling them they look tired. It may embarrass or discourage them.
You see your friend in the hallway. You know that they recently had a chess tournament, went to a baseball game, and went to a concert. How could you greet them and start a conversation with them?
Examples: 'Hey! How was your chess tournament?', "Hi! Did you have a good time at the concert?", 'Hey, how are you? Did you have fun at the baseball game?'
A friend asks you what you are doing this weekend. You answered, "I'm going to a movie." What can you say next to keep the conversation going?
"What are you doing this weekend?" "Have you seen any movies lately?"
Show how it might look when you are confused.
Hands up, eyebrows furrowed
After talking to a friend for a few minutes, your friend is now looking at his watch anxiously and backing away. What could you say?
"Oh, do you have to go?"
Conner's mom just got a new job. He tells his mom, "I'm so proud of you."
Is this comment expected or unexpected?
This comment is... expected
This is a nice and encouraging thing to say to his mom. This will make Conner's mom feel happy.