As with saying “Hello! How are you?” with a smile of welcome, your conversations should be full of references to the interests of the person with whom you’re speaking. But sometimes that person will ask about you.
I’ve cautioned you before not to talk about your psychiatric disability. But what can you talk about? Sailors maintain good direction on the waves by leaning away from what seems to be the wind’s inclination. So, lean away from what would bring conversation to a half.
Whatever is your strongest suit should be your choice for conversation. Maybe it’s learning, either secular or religious. Bring up an anecdote that you recently read and ask the person whom you’re talking with how she or he feels about it. Possibly this will get a conversational ball rolling. More likely, you will simply learn from his or her reaction the arena from which to choose another anecdote….
Maybe you have a hobby that is your strongest suit. A cook can always give a recipe, for example, and sports fans can engage in long repartee.
Use your new acquaintance’s response as a springboard for drawing her or him out. Turn the spotlight back on him or her! That is the surest way to give her or him the surety that you are a caring person, who is worth getting to know better.
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