The Fine Art of Small Talk

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Summary: Fianlly...help for the conversationally-challenged
Review: The Fine Art of Small Talk is fantastic! Author Debra Fine gives wonderful ideas and tips for starting, maintaining and ending a conversation. The Fine Art of Small Talk is perfect for anyone who's less than completely secure about his or her conversation skills, anyone who wants to overcome feeling awkward or tongue-tied, and especially for anyone who wants to learn to gracefully deal with people who talk to much, offer unsolicited advice, etc., etc. I've found that the tips in the book are perfect for both business and social settings. I can tell that using the advice makes a big difference in how people respond. The Fine Art of Small Talk really has had a positive impact. Be warned, though: you may - as I did - see yourself among the list of the author's "conversation offenders!" Not surprisingly, the book is written in an engaging, conversational style and, in addition to being helpful, is extremely enjoyable.

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Summary: Easy and quickly adaptable for social party , dinner
Review: At the same time, I have ordered Debra's tape, I have bought also 7 others books and video, audio tapes from others authors, on the same subject of conversation. Debra's tape , definitely appears to me, easy, confortable, to apply for any occasions to talk to people Her voice is very friendly and warm. I am so glad to have found Debra' audio tape. She gives , not only advice and techniques, but immediate examples of small talk for introducing yourself , with warmness and giving people the chance and the desire to develop conversation with you. Usually, when invited to dinner, or cocktails , or meeting , I go with the apprehension to meet new people , and to be in the situation of nothing to say , and to appear not interesting to be with.The days after listening to Debra's tape, I have the opportunity to apply in a dinner . I was the guest on a table of 12 persons that I did not know. The evening was lovely, because at last I could engage conversation with new people, as if we were friends. I feel much more confortable ,in such short time and I know that with more training with this tape, I will allow myself, for near future, to love meeting new people, as well as to talk friendly with my clients, my hairdresser, old friends... I really recommend this tape to who wishes to leave a positive impression.

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Summary: Probably the most helpful review...
Review: This book is written by a woman, for women. Being male and reading this book, i quickly saw how useless this book is for me. I am not being sexist so quit mounting your offense, i am simply stating fact. Her lack of knowledge on the male spectrum of this lack of communication skill is obvious. She knows what it's like for women, but cannot speak for men.

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Summary: Rent it! Very clear and crisp advice
Review: The issue is that most us find it difficult to have a small talk specially with strangers.

The conclusion is that if you take the risk (of rejection) and burden of making the small talk, you will reap the benefits.

The examples are good. I like it for the clarity and crispness. I am going to try the advise since it is not too difficult.

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Summary: A very helpful book
Review: It is a good book because it teaches you the basics for starting a conversation and keep the same going.

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Summary: not helpful at all
Review: I don't see how this book would help anyone. The 50 icebreakers were just awful! If a stranger approached me with pretty much any of the 50 suggested icebreakers, I'd refer to my "how to get out of a conversation" handbook.....not worth your money.

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Summary: More harm than good
Review: This book starts off by letting you know that by being shy you are being perceived by many as being arrogant, haughty or pretentous. Great, so it's worse than I thought. What follows are alot of open-ended questions that I can never see myself using and some very general advice about body language, social personality types and so on. There's not much substance at all that I found to be useful.

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Summary: Professor Learns that Small Talk Leads to Positive Learning
Review: I am a typical college professor---easy to speak at length (and ad nauseum) about information that is my specialty. However, students find that they learn better when they are comfortable with the professor herself--hence, the value of small talk! I learned from this book the importance of not being an FBI agent, and how NOT to make people uncomfortable! I also learned key niceties such as the importance of eye contact and a smile, even if the student was just given bad news about her grade.

I also appreciated the text because I interact mostly with people who are not professors--it is important that I interact with them on the level of "small talk" so that they do not feel intimidated because I have a doctorate. After all, my knowledge is limited only to my field--it is very easy, though, for people to be put off by professional titles. One way to avoid this rut is through the beauty of small talk.

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Summary: Conversational Tools Helped Me Profit
Review: As an attorney and business woman I found this book a tool that helped me profit. Conversational skills were not something I was born with yet seem to be a necessary skill for those who seek success in this competitive marketplace. This book gave me the tools I need to go to networking events and association meetings and make the most of these opportunities.
The author gives the reader icebreakers, exit lines and everything in between. It's a must have for any business person who understands the importance of building relationships as the foundation for building business. It's also a perfect gift for any professional not born with the "gift of gab."

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Summary: Where or when is this author from?
Review: This book is just horrible. The author gives tips on catch phrases like "Nice weather today" and other such horrible conversation starters, and ice breakers. I don't suggest this book for anybody looking to break their shyness, or anybody trying to continue a conversation with anybody but a 5yr old. I don't understand who the author wrote this book for, but it is either for a very very small town, or a very very small town in the 1950's. But if you are one of those people who actually want to learn how to continue a conversation without akward pauses, and want to learn to continue or make a compelling conversation with yourself and your partner then I suggest Talking the Winners Way by Leil Lowndes. She gives 92little tricks with examples to make sure you won't forget them, after you read it, it almost becomes a part of you.