Evening star., 1928-01-04
SUB ROSA
BY MIMI.


Scores OF readers complain that they
| haven't any small talk" They don't
know the art of idle chatter. and con.
sequently they never make good i'm
preston at social functions.
You know why that is--lack of
sympathetic interest, my gals, that's
all.
Heavens, there are hundreds of
things to talk about to any one and
every one. and il you're intelligently
interested in people you'll find them.
The first way to acquire this knack
OF small talk In to get yourself all
Gained down before you wander into
room full of people where you want
to make the good impression.
Just stand outside the door a minute
and take yourself in hand. Give your
self a mental pat on the back. don't
| strain too hard. and you'll be all right.
Don't try to diffuse friendliness when
you enter the room. That can come
later. Instead. just pretend all the
people there are pieces of furniture,
go straight TO your hostess, greet her,
and let her find you a place beside
| somebody who wants to be talked to
just as much as you do.
Always remember that-that it's
probably just as hard on the woman
or man to whom you're striving des.
perately to talk as II is on you.
Put your vis-a.vis at ease and you
yourself viii become calmer.
Now don't talk in a loud, chatty.
striving to.please manner. Get a nice.
clear. low tone and stick TO 1t. Take
your time about talking. Don't rush
In with nervous gasps and excited lit.
tie laughs. Speak slowly breathe regu.
| larry and the exercise will go easier.
What to talk about? Oh. anything
| in the world will do.
It's always safe to get started on
geography. where do you come
from? live In Banyanville. Do you
know II. at ALL" etc, etc.
After q brief skirmish on places to
live in. and why you prefer to live
in Banyanville, you ought to be able
to dope out your companion a little
bit.
| IL she's the quiet kind. she may be
a reader. Try II. anyway. II that
doesn't work. try chatter about the
home. Maybe she'll show CLEANS of
interest then.
Even when defeated three times,
don't lose heart She must be inter
ested in something, and you'H hit II
sooner or later.
or course, once you've got any man
| or woman on his or her favorite topic,
you're all set.
You can just sit back and nod sym.
pathetically. and smile. and gasp In.
credulously. and they will always re.
member you as the most interesting
person at the tea.
The great thing In to have sufficient
interest In human beings to inspire
them with confidence to talk about
| themselves
II you honestly have a kindly curl.
osity about other peoples likes and
dislikes. you'll be a great small
talloer."
You can talk about anything and
get away with It. II you're interested
In your companion enough TO get his
attention.
! People who blunder at small talk"
do so because they're all nervous and
tied up inside. thinking about them,
selves ana the kind Of impression
they'll make. IL they could only get
free and easy, wondering about other
people and what they're thinking, life
would be simpler and small talk
would be a cinch.
It's worth trying anyhow. seeing
| that 80 many OF you are dying to be
big small takers"
Just cultivate AN interest In every.
| body and watch how your fund Of
small talk" increases, til you're u
big success at any gathering.