While some people have no problem striking up a conversation with a stranger in line at the grocery store or on public transportation, small talk doesn’t come naturally to others—especially those who struggle with social anxiety. But even for those who are comfortable in social situations, small talk takes some effort.
This way you'll never run out of things to talk about: keep the conversation going!
Fortunately, there are techniques and strategies that can make starting a conversation a little easier, such as the 'FORD' method.
One of the most challenging aspects of small talk is coming up with something to talk about. That’s where the FORD method comes in. “FORD” is an acronym that identifies four nearly universal topics you can ask someone about in small talk situations:
Normally I would mention here the person or persons who devised the FORD method, but I could not find any definitive information about the origins of the technique.
