Look it, cain’t. I just ax you this. Have ya ever bin in a conversation wit someone and dinn understan a word they were saying?
Or the personwastalkingsofastnothingtheysaidregistered. Or she is speaking s o o o quietly you had to strain to hear what is said or, even worse, he conversed in terminology atmospheric to your cerebral cortex?
Have no fear, your conversational stylist is here! I will hook you up
When talking with someone always, always look the person in the eyes. This is a sign of respect and it tells the listener that you are confident about what you saying;
Speak slower than normal when talking to a group of people. Be dramatic and change your tone periodically. Repeat the sentence to emphasize your point if necessary. Professional speakers use this practice;
If you are invited to a social event and you are not sure about what to talk about, browse news websites before you leave for at least three different subjects.
Listen, listen, listen! People will talk about themselves all night long, and they will think YOU are interesting to talk to while doing it. Have you ever heard: We have two ears and one mouth, use accordingly. This is the unwritten rule in most conference rooms.
Remember, everyone has an accent. Example: Initiate – Geanene loved the ribs, initiate the potato salad. Or, Dahling, we were in N’Yawk on Toosdeh. Or, take Kingshighway to Barnes, then turn right onto Highway Farty. Believe me, it’s even funnier to the listener.
Other pronunciations: member (remember), liberry (library), jest (just) et (ate), frigerator (refrigerator), ax (ask), puddin (putting).
Talk about science fiction at the Sci-Fi convention. Example: That party was off the chain, know what I’m sayin? Or the affair was most enjoyable, wouldn’t you concur. It’s advisable to speak in layman’s terms when talking to a group of people.
Young ladies and gentlemen, EVERY generation has used slang, dig? When you want your voice to be heard, you must assume the listener is not always down with it. Word?
Translation: The English language has a vast vocabulary of words for everyday phases. Assume your parents want you to speak intelligently to THEIR friends, so you won’t embarrass THEM! Understand?
Madolena Key, Mannerisms LLC, (636) 398-MANR, www.mannerismsllc.net.