Lights Posted January 23, 2008 Posted January 23, 2008 What are good "conversation props", in your experiences? I've made countless attempts to initiate conversations based other items other people might have been wearing or had around, but I've not been able to find one similar "prop" that's worked even once for me.
crosswordfiend Posted January 23, 2008 Posted January 23, 2008 A dog. Always works to get my attention! But then all you'll ever meet are other dog people. It's a pity you don't really take a cat out for a walk...
Author Lights Posted January 30, 2008 Author Posted January 30, 2008 A dog. Always works to get my attention! But then all you'll ever meet are other dog people. It's a pity you don't really take a cat out for a walk... Thanks, Star Gazer. You make a good point, Crossword Fiend; it does seem that the choice of props is going to have some demographic effects. I'm assuming that that method hasn't worked for you; what do you usually use instead?
Star Gazer Posted January 30, 2008 Posted January 30, 2008 But then all you'll ever meet are other dog people. It's a pity you don't really take a cat out for a walk... I wouldn't want to meet a cat person though, as I only love dogs. Works for me.
Trimmer Posted January 30, 2008 Posted January 30, 2008 How about those aviation goggles that pickup artist guy wears atop his cowboy hat? People would definitely ask you about those, although you might need quite a bit of swagger to pull it off without looking ridiculous...
Never_Sure Posted January 30, 2008 Posted January 30, 2008 What are good "conversation props", in your experiences? I've made countless attempts to initiate conversations based other items other people might have been wearing or had around, but I've not been able to find one similar "prop" that's worked even once for me. Well, if you mean good conversation starters, I've always liked the controversial ones: religion and politics. Though, any that are taboo are good for me. Haha, of course, if you are interested in meeting and talking with nearly anyone else, I would suggest common interests: movies, books, dining preferances, etc. Also, if there is something particularly unique about them: hair, tattoo, clothes, etc. you might want to mention/ask about that. Another good one, could be relating to your job or education, which will also lead into your interests. The approach is always something I've wanted to master. I can talk, but I can't approach, and I don't think I come across as very approachable.
Author Lights Posted January 31, 2008 Author Posted January 31, 2008 How about those aviation goggles that pickup artist guy wears atop his cowboy hat? People would definitely ask you about those, although you might need quite a bit of swagger to pull it off without looking ridiculous... I don't know who you're referring to, but how well has that worked for you? Well, if you mean good conversation starters, I've always liked the controversial ones: religion and politics. Though, any that are taboo are good for me. I meant items or devices at hand that lend themselves to people striking up conversations.
Lucasarts Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 talk about sex. its more interesting than you think. hmm also, I would say, jobs, careers, dreams, hobbies, fantasies, movies, music, ideas, the news, sports, television, games, classes, other people, sleeping, food, jokes, past experiences, travel, etc theres A LOT to talk about. . . It's really all about finding something that you both like/interested in and going from there. If you try to rehearse an entire dialogue in your head, you'll end up sounding phony and clueless as to how the conversation is going. It's about going with the flow, and then having other topics in the back of your mind in case the conversation dries up. Being spontaneous is one of the best ways to remain interesting; no one will know what you will come up with next. Girls love that as you don't become predictable or boring when talking (which is what they LOVE to do, aside from complaining lol)
tanbark813 Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 Funny and/or offensive t-shirts work pretty well. Or you can offer girls PEZ.
HokeyReligions Posted January 31, 2008 Posted January 31, 2008 Wear red patent-leather shoes. You'll always have the same prop to begin a conversation and others will end up starting the conversation instead of you!
Author Lights Posted February 1, 2008 Author Posted February 1, 2008 (edited) Funny and/or offensive t-shirts work pretty well. Or you can offer girls PEZ. Well, I've never found the t-shirt route to ever have been successful. Did any particular t-shirts work for you? What is PEZ? Wear red patent-leather shoes. You'll always have the same prop to begin a conversation and others will end up starting the conversation instead of you! Thanks, but I'm not sure if that sort of thing even exists where I come from. Usually I only see or hear of such things in black, for tuxedo-wearers or the like. talk about sex. its more interesting than you think. hmm also... Well, as I was explaining to Never_Sure, I wasn't asking for conversation topics nor anything about a conversation that's already in progress. However, you do bring up an interesting point and I would be interested in learning how to directly bring up sexual topics in a positively received way in such initial-approach or pre-initial-approach situations if you know of any. Would you please send me a private message about it so we can avoid derailing the thread? Edited February 1, 2008 by Lights
tanbark813 Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 Well, I've never found the t-shirt route to ever have been successful. Did any particular t-shirts work for you? I have one that says "i read your email". That gets comments all the time. Another one that has worked says "Michael Jackson didn't molest those children--he made love to them." That one was especially effective at Disneyland. What is PEZ? :eek::eek::eek: Only the greatest candy ever invented (mainly because of the dispensers): http://www.pez.com/default.asp
HokeyReligions Posted February 1, 2008 Posted February 1, 2008 Pez! Really! Just not in a Darth Vader dispenser please!! OP, you'll need to practice looking around each situation to find something that seems to be a focal point. It will be different everywhere. In a sports bar or resaturant - talk about what's on the TV. In a more formal setting how about the table centerpiece, or band/orchestra? You need to size up your 'target' too, and quickly. Is she/he dressed to the nines? find something formal in the room that seems to match the person's attire or attitude and comment on that. More casual - look at eye-level items that are likely to bring attention to themselves. A decoration or occurence going on at the time. How do you want to appear to the other person? Funny and full of humor, or serious. Try going to a lot of places and looking at the surroundings and come up with some humorous statements "Is that Moose Head staring at me, or at you?" or "Someone is quite a hunter, do you hunt?" Things like that. Its not just about starting a conversation - its about what kind of conversation you want to have and the mood of the crowd or situation. Sometimes you have to practice for yourself so you sound natural and confident when you are with others. Knowing your audience and how you want to be projected is important. Once you are comfortable with that, you'll find things to use as ice-breakers and be very natural about it.
Author Lights Posted February 3, 2008 Author Posted February 3, 2008 I have one that says "i read your email". That gets comments all the time. Another one that has worked says "Michael Jackson didn't molest those children--he made love to them." That one was especially effective at Disneyland. Thanks Tanbark!! That seems pretty cool. I should try that if I ever am in a similar situation. I'm hoping that the Jackson shirt at Disneyland didn't result in you getting any harassment from the security guys though? I'll see what I can find that's similar to those kinds of things. OP, you'll need to practice looking around each situation to find something that seems to be a focal point. It will be different everywhere. In a sports bar or resaturant - talk about what's on the TV. In a more formal setting how about the table centerpiece, or band/orchestra? You need to size up your 'target' too, and quickly. Is she/he dressed to the nines? find something formal in the room that seems to match the person's attire or attitude and comment on that. More casual - look at eye-level items that are likely to bring attention to themselves. A decoration or occurence going on at the time. How do you want to appear to the other person? Funny and full of humor, or serious. Try going to a lot of places and looking at the surroundings and come up with some humorous statements "Is that Moose Head staring at me, or at you?" or "Someone is quite a hunter, do you hunt?" Things like that. Its not just about starting a conversation - its about what kind of conversation you want to have and the mood of the crowd or situation. Sometimes you have to practice for yourself so you sound natural and confident when you are with others. Knowing your audience and how you want to be projected is important. Once you are comfortable with that, you'll find things to use as ice-breakers and be very natural about it. Thanks HokeyReligions! This looks like good advice I suppose (guess I'll need to find more 'test runs' so to speak to find out ). Mainly what I was looking for was stuff like what Tanbark mentioned; recommended items that one might have on one's person or at hand that lend themselves to people coming by and striking up conversations by mentioning them.
Blue Eyed Brain Posted February 3, 2008 Posted February 3, 2008 I usually get spoken to at random places; grocery store, cleaners, gas stations, etc. Men like to comment on my shoes, my hair, my eyes (thankfully, they have all had G rated comments).
underpants Posted February 3, 2008 Posted February 3, 2008 I have one that says "i read your email". That gets comments all the time. Another one that has worked says "Michael Jackson didn't molest those children--he made love to them." That one was especially effective at Disneyland. I know where you buy your t-shirts. They have some doozies. I almost got...'you can't have manslaughter without the laughter'.
HokeyReligions Posted February 3, 2008 Posted February 3, 2008 Eyeglasses or sunglasses - there are tons of styles and I've commented to strangers sometimes on those (some people can find the most beautiful styles!) A hat or lapel pin. If you are into ecology or animal rights or something, a pin from a group you belong to or support is something one might comment on and allow you the opportunity to share something that is important to you. Or a ribbon - men and women wear ribbons all the time - different colors to support different things. If you know someone who is a breast cancer survivor, for example, wear a pink ribbon.
tanbark813 Posted February 3, 2008 Posted February 3, 2008 I know where you buy your t-shirts. They have some doozies. I almost got...'you can't have manslaughter without the laughter'. I don't know if they still have it but they had one that said, "I eat more pussy than cervical cancer". That one is funny but it's a little too offensive to wear, even for me.
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