Good new perspective on the benefits of small talk

What did you like most about Small Talk - How to Connect Effortlessly with Anyone?

I'm generally shy and tend to avoid small talk because it doesn't feel comfortable or natural to me, but this book has helped to shift my mindset a bit and put the concept of small talk in a new light where I can appreciate the potential benefits I may be missing out on by avoiding small talk situations.

Any additional comments?

I also liked the cast recording as it made the dialogue examples feel more real.

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2 people found this helpful

It made me realize how powerful is my mind!

Would you listen to Small Talk - How to Connect Effortlessly with Anyone again? Why?

It's the first time i find an audible book that can help me to start talking to anyone

Any additional comments?

This book help me understand that it's all in our minds and how we face to different people. It's really not that hard to let us feel comfortable enough to just talk to someone about whatever we think is important or funny for us.

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Get small talking now

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Simple clear and engaging, very helpful explanations and relevant examples. I especially like that it is not just tips of things to say but explores considering other peoples perspectives and motivations which can lead you to rethink your own mindsets.
Betty's enthusiasism for human interaction shines through and her positivity and encouragment turns making small talk from an unnerving prospect into an oportunity to be taken and learnt from.
A good pace, well spoken and easy to listen to and understand.

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3 people found this helpful

The power of small talk

"Small Talk" delivers so many practical lessons for any level of English speaker. As a native English speaker it might be easy to take for granted or forget the power of small talk since we use it as a tool to transition into and out of daily scenarios. This book brings greater awareness to not only the techniques of small talk, but also a greater understanding of the associated human bahaviour. These are particularly helpful lessons for someone keen to sharpen their interaction skills as small talk is not always about talking, it also has much to do with social judgement and perspective.

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Very Informative

Not my cup of tea however don't knock it. i still rated it high as there is still information that enriches conversation. i personally didn't feel like it made much of a difference in my day to day life but who knows it might do in future, just try it.

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A handy practical guide for absolutely everyone

If you could sum up Small Talk - How to Connect Effortlessly with Anyone in three words, what would they be?

Recommended for anyone

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Dialogues with different voices made it more "real"

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

My reaction was, "hey why didn't I think of (doing) it before?"

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The most exhaustive breakdown of small talk ever!

What made the experience of listening to Small Talk - How to Connect Effortlessly with Anyone the most enjoyable?

There are 'aha' moments in most good self improvement books and this was no exception. Once the subtleties are explained and pointed out it suddenly becomes clear the potential to improve your small talk skills

Would you recommend Small Talk - How to Connect Effortlessly with Anyone to your friends? Why or why not?

Would definitely recommend to anyone interested in improving their small talk skills

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

The book flows nicely, the narrator reminded me a little of Alain De Botton which makes a change from the numerous american audiobooks.

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Practical!

If you could sum up Small Talk - How to Connect Effortlessly with Anyone in three words, what would they be?

Practical, helpful, encouraging

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

Any additional comments?

The author does a wonderful job of showing in detail how to improve conversational skills. I am a shy person who sometimes struggles to make small talk. After listening to this book I have already started using some of the strategies mentioned, with good results.

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Boredom and repetitiveness

I am compelled to write a review on this audiobook so other people do not come to the same trap. The purchase of this book was triggered by my interest to improve my social skills and find ways to engage people. I was disappointed after purchasing this because the narrator is boring to death. It reminds me of Hal in 2001 Space Odyssey movie. Pretty much monotone and lacking energy.

The contents seem to repeat with no much examples and overall a disappointing experience. Try to find other options such as "Fine art of small talk" which is much better and easier to enjoy

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4 people found this helpful

The title oversells this book's practical value

Would you try another book written by Betty Bohm or narrated by the narrators?

It is signifcantly less likely that I would try another Betty Bohm book as a result of having tried this one. The narrator (Cross) was on the other hand very good, and that might encourage me to try another book he reads.

Would you ever listen to anything by Betty Bohm again?

Unlikely

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Not so much the narration as the actors (Bayrak and Lambert) who played out the scenarios - they helped to bring the discussions to life.

What character would you cut from Small Talk - How to Connect Effortlessly with Anyone?

N/A

Any additional comments?

This was a very disappointing book. Whilst well read by the narrator, and providing acted scenarios which brought them to life, it really provided little to no practical assistance. All the author really did was provide a number of examples of small talk and comment on what role each line played in the conversation. There was no discussion of those roles however, why they are important, when to employ/not to employ them, etc. For example, often there is a line in the dialogue which is described as showing agreement, sometimes emphatic agreement. You might accordingly infer that agreeing with the conversation partner is valuable in small talk. But the book does not say that, there is no explanation of when it is or is not helpful, no practical guidance as to using agreement in a small talk situation, or strategies for dealing with situations where you do not agree with a statement, but do not wish to offend the other party making the statement. In short, it did not seem to me that this book even came close to living up to its bold tag line.

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2 people found this helpful