Any ideas? I have ADD and OCD, so I tend to avoid learning about new things and as a result I don't know about a lot of the topics essential for rapport building when talking to people. I wish there was like a study guide or something that I could just study the most essential things so I wouldn't always feel lost when people are talking about things. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Where to learn about topics people socialize about the most?
- Thread starter Sbcy
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SilentBird
Well-known member
I live a very narrow existence. I am not only shy of people but also shy of life. Therefore I am very reluctant to try new things. When I am with others I try to take an interest in their lives and ask questions to keep them talking. Most people like talking about themselves. Even shy people in the right circumstances. Try talking a little about yourself and what interests you. You may find that you have something in common with someone. Taking an interest in current events also helps. Practice and see how it goes, find out what works and you will slowly move forward. I wish you well.
Thanks, but I've tried this all my life and I seem to always encounter the same problem of being clueless about what they're talking about. And it never feels like anything consistent (okay maybe pop culture is 1 consistent theme, but even that is quite broad to tackle if one doesn't know what exactly to study). When I converse with others about things i'm familiar with I can better pay attention and more easily take an interest despite my lack of interest in a lot of conversation and things in life. In short, background info helps me more than the average person but i'm not sure how to narrow down what specifically to read up in. Another problem is my obsessivness/anxiety-very indecisive.
razzle dazzle rose
Well-known member
Watch American Idol. I always have people ask me about this, and I say, "Um, no, I don't watch tv." End of conversation. ::
Same here. I used to not watch any TV but now watch some. I still don't watch American Idol though.
What I can suggest to the OP is to read everything and anything you can. Current events for example. Of course, talking about it is the hard part...well, for me it can be.
Lol, I read lots, but most people aren't socializing about some random article on the methylation cycle (particularly if you don't know them well or at all) or some obscure piece of hardware. There's only so many hours in a day to read and i guess i don't fill it with the right things for improving social awarness. Lol. Thanks for the heads up on American idol, i'll have to research that..guessing it will be near impossible to sit through an episode.
Hoppy
Well-known member
The thing I love most about the internet is that is gives me the ability to become instantly informed.
So if I see or hear something I didn't know anything about, I jump online and egt an idea of what it is about.
So get a good news service, and read the weekly updates about american idol. 5 minutes as day and you're cool.