Conversation

A conversation is two or more people talking about something. It is spontaneous, usually unplanned, though the people may have interests in common. 

Conversations are one of the basic types of human communication. They can be about any subject, and do not necessarily have any fixed purpose. They allow people with different views of a topic to learn from each other. A conversation may be contrasted with formal presentations. A talk or speech, for example is an oral presentation by one person directed at a group. It is basically a one-way communication.

Conversations do not have to happen in person, they can happen over the telephone or on the Internet.

 Banter 
Banter is short witty sentences that bounce back and forth between individuals. Often banter uses clever put-downs and witty insults. It can contain misunderstandings (often intentional), zippy wisecracks, zingers, flirtation, and puns. The idea is each line of banter should "top" the one before it. It is a verbal war of wit without any physical contact.

 Related pages 
 Conversation analysis
 Consensus
 Intensity of preference

 References 

 Other websites 
 Advice  on initiating conversations and links to conversational organizations 
 Article on developing basic communication skills 
 Conversation Cafè, devoted to creating a "culture of conversation."
 Empathic listening skills 
 Lifehack howto on Small Talk 
 "The art of conversation", Economist, 19th December 2006 

Category:Communication
Category:Human activities