# How to Talk to Anyone  ## Metadata - Author: [[Leil Lowndes]] - Full Title: How to Talk to Anyone - Category: #books ## Highlights - "Just give 'em great posture, a heads-up look, a confident smile, and a direct gaze." It's the ideal image for somebody who's a Somebody. ([Location 300](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B000SEI4V0&location=300)) - The study showed women who were slower to smile in corporate life were perceived as more credible." ([Location 342](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B000SEI4V0&location=342)) - "The study went on to say a big, warm smile is an asset. But only when it comes a little slower, because then it has more credibility." ([Location 344](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B000SEI4V0&location=344)) - Don't flash an immediate smile when you greet someone, as though anyone who walked into your line of sight would be the beneficiary. Instead, look at the other person's face for a second. Pause. Soak in their persona. Then let a big, warm, responsive smile flood over your face and overflow into your eyes. It will engulf the recipient like a warm wave. The split-second delay convinces people your flooding smile is genuine and only for them. ([Location 358](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B000SEI4V0&location=358)) - In addition to awakening feelings of respect and affection, maintaining strong eye contact gives you the impression of being an intelligent and abstract thinker. ([Location 395](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B000SEI4V0&location=395)) - Pretend your eyes are glued to your conversation partner's with sticky warm taffy. Don't break eye contact even after he or she has finished speaking. When you must look away, do it ever so slowly, reluctantly, stretching the gooey taffy until the tiny string finally breaks. ([Location 414](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B000SEI4V0&location=414)) - When you act as though you like someone, you start to really like them. ([Location 626](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B000SEI4V0&location=626)) - small talk is not about facts or words. It's about music, about melody. Small talk is about putting people at ease. It's about making comforting noises together like cats purring, children humming, or groups chanting. You must first match your listener's mood. ([Location 840](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B000SEI4V0&location=840)) - How do you put people at ease? By convincing them they are OK and that the two of you are similar. When you do that, you break down walls of fear, suspicion, and mistrust. ([Location 884](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B000SEI4V0&location=884)) - Here's my "anything, except liverwurst" on small talk. Anything you say is fine as long as it is not complaining, rude, or unpleasant. ([Location 922](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B000SEI4V0&location=922)) - They say the pen is mightier than the sword. It is, but the tongue is even mightier than the pen. ([Location 1670](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B000SEI4V0&location=1670)) - Make 'em rhyme, make 'em clever, or make 'em funny. Above all, make 'em relevant. ([Location 1734](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B000SEI4V0&location=1734))