Boring Banter Pointers
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008
As per below, The Huffington Post has published a list of signs that you’re a lackluster conversationalist (but I’m sure they don’t apply to you or me):
HOW TO TELL IF YOU’RE BORING SOMEONE
- Repeated, perfunctory responses. A person who says, “Oh really? Oh really? That’s interesting. Oh really?” is probably not too engaged.
- Simple questions. People who are bored ask simple questions. “When did you move?” “Where did you go?” People who are interested ask more complicated questions that show curiosity, not mere politeness.
- Interruption. Although it sounds rude, interruption is actually a good sign, I think. It means a person is bursting to say something, and that shows interest. Similarly…
- Request for clarification. A person who is sincerely interested in what you’re saying will need you to elaborate or to explain. “What does that term mean?” “When exactly did that happen?” “Back up and tell me what happened first” are the kinds of questions that show that someone is trying closely to follow what you’re saying.
- Body position. People with a good connection generally turn fully to face each other. A person who is partially turned away isn’t fully embracing the conversation.
Frankly, I don’t mind talking to boring people at a party or staff function. I just focus on my plate of food, nod, and throw in the odd question. Boring people like to talk about themselves, so as long as you keep them going, you don’t have to make much of an effort to mingle. It’s better than standing there, twiddling your thumbs.
How do you handle boring people? Do you have a reliable excuse you always use to extract yourself from a dull conversation? I know one guy who told a friend, “Well, I’m going to let you go now” - except they were talking in person, not on the phone. Do you have any classic examples of someone getting caught not paying attention to what someone else was saying? It’s kind of like those Fallsview Casino television commercials, the one where the guy isn’t paying attention to the oil change instructions or the one where the woman buying pottery at the garage sale inadvertently haggles the seller down to a cheaper price as she is daydreaming about how much fun she had gambling. Post your anecdotes by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link below. Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is BORINGBANTER. You’ll find it engaging until September 4th.