Nothing is more beautiful than a clear discourse, capable of fully revealing our potential, demonstrating the high level of our culture, and presenting the best sides of our personality.
How to achieve it?
Let's learn to listen. Let's try, even in a brief conversation, to concentrate fully. Let's focus on the person speaking to us, not obstructing their speech with our expectations, verbal strategies, or pre-prepared responses. Let's do our best to engage in conversation as a child engages in play in a sandbox.
The right tactic advises us to pick up on the last words or phrases of the speaker. First, it allows us a few seconds to think, and then it shows them that we are taking into account what they just said. The exchange of opinions fosters mutual trust.
Let's strive to please as speakers, learning to joke, laugh, be modest, sincere, mysterious, serious, and generous. Let's make the effort first to listen attentively before diagnosing. Let's refrain from cutting off someone who hasn't even finished their sentence, caught up in the famous "ah, but yes!" moment when we suddenly think we've understood everything.
It's good to be spontaneous, but it's also important not to let everything that is close to our hearts flow freely at the first meeting. Let's leave room for curiosity. A touch of provocation, of non-conformism, does not harm a sensible discussion.
You have probably heard that in certain circles, when meeting someone for the first time, one does not say "Pleased to meet you" or "Enchanté". In the first case, this can immediately suggest that we do not belong to certain elevated social spheres. Therefore, let's replace this formula with "How do you do" or "Good to see you". As for the second, although it is acceptable, if we are introduced in intellectual or aristocratic circles, it would be preferable to say "I am delighted to meet you". The expression "Enchanté" can annoy cultivated individuals accustomed to deeper exchanges. The same goes for phrases like "I take note", which implies "I have heard you but I will do nothing for you".
The same applies to "Bon appétit". At a family meal, we can use it as much as we like, but at an official reception, dinner, or gala, let's avoid bringing the conversation back to the stomach. Primarily, it was not the call of the stomach that brought all these people together in this place.
If this has already been wished upon us, let's respond kindly in the same way. This will be perceived as a sign of courtesy.
Sincerely yours,
Anastasia Shevchenko
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