Vance Crowe | How do you handle obligatory conversations? @VanceCrowePodcast | Uploaded July 2024 | Updated October 2024, 30 minutes ago.
Every day we have obligatory conversations with strangers.
It feels weird to say nothing around them. So we ask throwaway questions like, "is your shift almost over?"
Throwaway questions get throwaway answers that make the conversation boring, and it's still awkward to break the cycle. Ask a question specific to their unique view of the world.
That's easy to answer. I call these cashier questions. Every day, cashiers observe hundreds of shoppers and their habits, so why not ask them about it?
For example, if you're in a grocery store late at night, you can ask when people come in this late, do they buy different things than during the day? You'll almost always get interesting answers, like how people at night buy single servings of ice cream, whereas morning shoppers often buy for a whole family.
Cashier questions pop a person out of the monotony of work and allow them to share their knowledge. This creates a connection between the two of you that dissolves awkwardness, making those small interactions more meaningful for everyone.
#connection #conversation #communication #interests #talking
Every day we have obligatory conversations with strangers.
It feels weird to say nothing around them. So we ask throwaway questions like, "is your shift almost over?"
Throwaway questions get throwaway answers that make the conversation boring, and it's still awkward to break the cycle. Ask a question specific to their unique view of the world.
That's easy to answer. I call these cashier questions. Every day, cashiers observe hundreds of shoppers and their habits, so why not ask them about it?
For example, if you're in a grocery store late at night, you can ask when people come in this late, do they buy different things than during the day? You'll almost always get interesting answers, like how people at night buy single servings of ice cream, whereas morning shoppers often buy for a whole family.
Cashier questions pop a person out of the monotony of work and allow them to share their knowledge. This creates a connection between the two of you that dissolves awkwardness, making those small interactions more meaningful for everyone.
#connection #conversation #communication #interests #talking
