Tact in Conversation.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XII, 19 September 1903, Page 857

Tact in Conversation.

The charms of a good talker are often underrated by those who wish to attract admirers, and therefore they spend too much time before their mirrors, and too little with their books. To talk well it is absolutely necessary that one should have something to talk about, and this can only be obtained by cultivating one’s mind. Any brainless person can chatter. but without cultivation of the mind it is as impossible to be an agreeable and interesting talker as it is to draw water from a well where no water is. Accustom yourself to talk of what you see and read. Don’t think it too much trouble to talk to members oi your own famfly circle, for many a one has become taciturn and unpleasing from thinking it not worth while to be entertaining to the home partyCultivate the habit of story telling; you cannot lack auditors as long as there are children among your acquaintance. and trying to tell a story in the wav that will interest them will be excellent training.

When conversing there are certain rules which should be carefully observed. Speak deliberately and distinctly, and not too loudly; rapid and noisy speech is very wearying. Ascertain whether the person yon are entertaining prefers to talk or to listen, and govern yourself accordingly. As far as possible avoid all mention of unpleasant tonics, and try to discover what is interesting to your companion. Some sympathetic people seem to have a genius for saying the right thing, and it is certainly a faculty which can be cultivated. Avoid references to yourself and your private affairs, except to intimate friends: it is bad form, and it generally bores people. Avoid, also, all unkind and censorious remarks about others, even though your remarks be witty, and never, if you can help it. make personal comments, unless they are somethin? in the nature of a delicate compliment.