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Product Description
Review
"'Fine fully engages her audience. She involves readers in the discussion and gives lists of lines people can use' Library Journal"
Product Description
Communication expert Debra Fine reveals the techniques and strategies anyone can use to make small talk - in any situation. Do you spend an abnormal amount of time hiding in the bathroom or hanging around the buffet table at social gatherings? Does the thought of striking up a conversation with a stranger make your stomach do flip-flops? Do you sit nervously through job interviews waiting for the other person to speak? Are you nervous when it comes to networking? Then it's time you mastered The Fine Art of Small Talk. With practical advice and conversation 'cheat sheets,' The Fine Art of Small Talk will help you learn to feel more comfortable in any type of social situation, from lunch with your boss to going out on a date to a cocktail party where you don't know a soul. The Fine Art of Small Talk teaches you how to:· Start a conversation even when you think you have nothing to say; Steady your shaky knees and dry your sweaty palms; Prevent awkward pauses and lengthy silences; Adopt listening skills that will make you a better conversationalist; Approach social functions with confidence; Feel more at ease at parties, meetings and at job interviews; TUrn every conversation into an opportunity for success
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
148 of 149 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book with high expectations. What I found was a relatively thin set of (americanised) tips on how to get into a conversation. The book had many opinions and pointers, but none are backed up with any fact of why it would be a good approach, no more than the authors opinion that it is a good approach anyways.
Also be warned that this book is fairly business orientated, so while it will cater for people seeking help in business events and the work arena, people seeking other socialising skills may do better elsewhere.
A bit of an example at why I was disappointed : there is a section of how to start a conversation with a stranger, using ice breakers. What followed was a list of 50 ice breakers, but I don't think I would use *any* of them. The ice breakers were things like, "Tell me about you childhood memories". Now, maybe I'm shy, but if I said this to a stranger I would expect a very strange look. The other 49 lines were of similar tone. Not good.
On the whole, the book does offer some advice, but it is nothing more advanced than simple tips that we all know ('Maintain eye contact, etc'). It doesn't really help you any further in the way that some other confidence building books do.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book has a small amount of useful information but a majority of the writing will be common-sense to most. Icebreakers such as "Describe your ideal weather and why?" and "tell me about a time you had too much to eat" appear in the second chapter (seriously!)and after that it is rather hard to take the writer seriously. Anyone following the advice in these early chapters would find their social lives deteriorating at a tremendous rate.
32 of 35 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
the book does not contain anything outside of common sense, but then theres an argument that smalltalk is probably common sense.
some useful insights into an ex-engineers view of the world, but all in all i was disapointed by the lack of substance in the book, some of the recomended conversational questions seemed to be a little childish and lack imagination or experience.
too limited.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not worth a penny
I bought this books and I would say that it will not make you a better conversationalist.
The book will give you some openers that cant be used in any situation (which... Read more
The book will give you some openers that cant be used in any situation (which... Read more
Published on 11 April 2010 by Tim
very good book
this book is a realistic and practical guide to the art of starting and maintaining a conversation.
having read a lot of similar books, i can say that this one is the best
having read a lot of similar books, i can say that this one is the best
Published on 16 Nov 2008 by fawzy
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As a previous review also explains, I must say how disappointed I was with this book.
If you want to talk like a cheesy American, 'go right ahead friend'. Read more
If you want to talk like a cheesy American, 'go right ahead friend'. Read more
Published on 17 Oct 2008 by Anonymous
Entertaining and educational
Facilitated in a seminar setting, you listen and feel as though you are participating with the group. Read more
Published on 9 Aug 1999
A MUST for EVERY Salesperson!!
I've have been in sales and sales training for over 12 years and am very successful at it. When someone recommended this tape to me, I thought, "What could I possibly get... Read more
Published on 9 July 1999
Excellent Tape!!
Having also been to one of Debra Fine's Small Talk seminars, this tape is a good refresher course. Debra makes meeting people fun and give you practical suggestion for "ice... Read more
Published on 5 April 1999
This cassette provides a common sense apprach to small talk
This cassette was more of a reaffirmation of what I (and most people) already know. Although it did not give much new insight, it clarified some ideas that most know but do not... Read more
Published on 1 Mar 1999
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