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外研英语选修6
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Module 1 Small Talk
How Good Are Your Social Skills?
Have you ever crossed the road to avoid talking to someone you recognize? Would you love to go to a party and talk confidently to every guest? Do you want to make more friends but lack the confidence to talk to people you don’t know? And are you nervous about the idea of being at a social event in another country? Don’t worry – we can help you! You needn’t worry about situations like these if you have good social skills. And they are easy to learn. People with good social skills communicate well and know how to have a conversation. It helps if you do a little advance planning. Here are a few ideas to help you. Learn how to do small talk.
Small talk is very important and prepares you for more serious conversations. Be prepared! Have some low-risk conversation openers ready. For example:
Think of a recent news story – not to serious, e.g. a story about a film star or sports star.
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Think of things to tell people about your studies.
Think of “safe” things you can ask people’s opinions about – music, sport, films, etc.
Think of topics that you would avoid if you were talking to strangers – and avoid talking about them! That way, you don’t damage your confidence!
Develop your listening skills
Listening is a skill which most people lack, but communication is a two-way process – it involves speaking AND listening. Always remember – you won’t impress people if you talk too much. Here are some ideas to make you a better listener: DO
Show that you are listening by using encouraging noises and gestures – smiling, nodding, saying “uh-huh” and “OK”, etc. Keep good eye contact Use positive body language
Ask for more information to show your interest DON’T
Look at your watch Yawn Sign
Look away from the person who’s talking to you
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Change the subject
Finish other people’s sentences for them
Always remember the words of Benjamin Disraeli, British Prime Minister in the 19th century: “Talk to a man about himself, and he will speak to you for hours!” Learn the rules
If you go to a social occasion in another country, remember that social rules can be different. In some countries, for example, you have to arrive on time at a party; in other countries, you don’t need to. In addition, you need to know how long you should stay, and when you have to leave. Some hosts expect flowers or a small gift, but in other places, you can take things, but you needn’t if you don’t want t. remember also that in some countries, you mustn’t take flowers of a certain colour, because they’re unlucky. In most places, you don’t have to take a gift to a party – but find our first!
The Wrong Kind of Small Talk
Esther Greenbaum was a saleswoman for a firm of fax machines and business supplies. But she was also the most outspoken human being in the world – well, Westchester County, at least. Her motto was “Every time I open my mouth, I put my foot in it.”
Esther Greenbaum’s major shortcoming was that she had a
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complete absence of small talk. No, that’ not quite true. She had small talk, but it was the wrong kind. In fact, she had never learnt the basic rules of social communication, and as a consequence, she made systematic mistakes every time she opened her mouth. It was no coincidence either that she wasn’t a very good saleswoman.
One day during a meeting, Esther was introduced to an important customer, a mature woman.
“Nice to meet you,” she said. “How old are you?” The customer looked awkward.
“Forty? Forty-five?” said Esther. “You kook much older. And your friend … she’s older than you, but she looks much younger!”
On another occasion, Esther teased a typist, “Hey! When’s your baby due?”
The typist went red and contradicted Esther. “Actually, I’m not pregnant,” she said.
“Oh, sorry,” said Esther without any apology. “Just putting on a little weight, huh?”
Esther was never cautious about other people’s feelings. One of her acquaintances, a salesman in the firm, was going through a very messy divorce and was very depressed. She tried to cheer him up.
“Forget her! She was a complete fool. No one liked her anyway.” Much of the time, Esther said the first thing to come into her head.
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One day at work, a clerk came into the office with a new hairstyle. “Nice haircut,” said Esther. “How much did it cost?” The woman replied, “I’d rather not say.”
Esther replied, “Well, anyhow, either you paid too much or you paid too little.”
She met a very famous writer once. “Hey, what a coincidence!” she said. “You’re writing a book and I’m reading one!”
The trouble with Esther was she said what she thought, and didn’t think about what she said. A young man was trying to modest about his new job many miles away.
“I guess the company chose me so they’d get some peace in the office,” he smiled.
“No, I guess they chose you to discourage you from spending your whole career with us,” Esther replied sweetly.
Once, Esther went to a brunch party to meet some old school friends on the anniversary of their graduation. She greeted the hostess. “Do you remember that guy you were dating? What happened to him?” she asked. “You know, the ugly one.”
At the moment, a man came up and stood by her friend. “Esther, I’d like you to meet my husband,” she said, “Charles, this is…” Esther interrupted her, “Hey, so you married him!”
外研英语知识学习进修6课本学习知识原文（每个模块4篇文章齐全）
