How to Talk to Anyone

1. First Impressions Matter

Smile Slowly — Don’t flash an instant smile at everyone; let it "spread" naturally to seem genuine.
Sticky Eyes — Maintain slightly longer eye contact than usual to create warmth and trust.
The Big-Baby Pivot — Turn your body fully toward someone when they start speaking, as if they’re the most important person in the room.
Flooding Smile — Greet people with enthusiasm as though they’re a dear friend you’ve missed.

Use the “What’s in it for them?” mindset — Shape conversations to match the other person’s interests.
Echoing — Repeat key words they use; it shows attentiveness.
“Premature we” — Use we, us, our early to create a feeling of shared identity.
Parroting — Repeat the last few words someone says to prompt them to elaborate.

Never the Naked Introduction — Add something interesting after introducing yourself (“Hi, I’m Alex — I run a coffee brand that experiments with flavors from around the world”).
Be a Word Detective — Listen for hints in what they say and ask about them.
Skip the Clichés — Instead of “How are you?”, use more engaging openers tied to context.
The Swiveling Spotlight — Keep turning the conversation toward them, rather than monopolizing it.

Mirroring — Subtly match posture, gestures, and tone of voice to build subconscious rapport.
Head Tilt — Slightly tilting your head while listening conveys interest.
Lean In — But Not Too Much — Lean slightly when listening, lean back when speaking to appear confident.

Never Let the Conversation Die — Have “fallback questions” ready (“How did you get into that?”).
Call Back — Refer to something they told you in the past to show you remembered.
Compliment in Stereo — Compliment someone to a third person who will relay it back — it often feels more genuine than direct praise.
Be a VIP for the Little People — Treat everyone (assistants, servers, security) with equal respect; word travels fast.

Be a Secret Searchlight — Genuinely be curious about others’ lives rather than waiting for your turn to talk.
Never Break the “Flow” — Avoid abrupt topic changes; let conversation transitions happen naturally.
Make Them Feel Like the Only One in the Room — Don’t glance around, check your phone, or look over their shoulder.