How to Join a Conversation

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Hear a conversation that sounds interesting and want to get in it?

Steps

1. Listen to what they are saying, and when it's appropriate, give your opinion on whatever they're talking about or ask a question. If you don't know what they are talking about but it sounds interesting, ask them about it.
   
2. Continue in the conversation as if you were already part of it, and hopefully they won't have a problem with you joining. It is often best to start with a small comment and judge the reaction before continuing.
   

Tips

• If you walk in on a conversation and have no clue what they're talking about, don't say anything until you've figured out what they're talking about. You could say something stupid and embarrass yourself.
  
• If you know the people who are talking they will be more likely to let you join. However, if anyone hints to go away, you should.
  
• Try to see what kind of conversation it is before jumping in. Personal conversations are best avoided, and do not linger near one too long, as you might be deemed nosy.
  
• Try to read the body language of the people talking. Before you join, see if the people are talking closely or in hushed tones; if it seems to be a serious conversation, you might want to leave them alone. If the group seems more open, take the opening. If the members of the conversation try to nudge you out, take the hint and assume the conversation was personal in nature.
  

Warnings

• The biggest conversation-killer is self-consciousness. Don't worry about saying something stupid; it happens to all of us at some point. The worst thing you can do is to not speak up when there is a fitting opportunity.
  
• Do not repetitively barge in on a conversation, or else you might be considered nosy, and that will likely be used against you when you try to join future conversations.
  
• Do not barge in on a personal conversation, as you probably will receive negative feedback from the conversers.
  
• Sometimes, even if you do join the conversation appropriately, some or all of the people involved will still be irritated and try to push you out. If so, that is their problem, and you should probably not bother trying to join their conversations again; it isn't worth it.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Have a Great Conversation
  
• How to Start a Conversation With Someone on the Train, Bus or Subway
  
• How to Make Small Talk
  
• How to Start a Conversation With a Stranger
  
• How to Be Confident
  
• How to Converse with a Guy Online
  
• How to Talk Professionally on the Phone
  
• How to Talk to Parents So They'll Understand
  

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