How To Rescue A Dying Conversation… Even When You Say Something Stupid

Marcus Oakey November 4, 2014

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When was the last time your foot was firmly planted in your mouth? You know those painful moments when you’ve said something so excruciating at the wrong time, or maybe to the wrong person, that you want the ground to swallow you whole.

I’m sure your stomach turns just thinking about it now. However, it’s more common than you realise, and even the most experienced conversationalists mess up from time to time.

So this episode of The Vault is going to prove how simple it is to save yourself from that black hole of awkward silences, and help you to resuscitate a dying conversation.

That Moment You Say Something Dumb

You might feel like killing conversations comes naturally to you – and maybe it does! However many people slip up more frequently than they’d like to admit. So why is this problematic? Well, you’d be surprised at the answer. It’s mainly a problem because – believe it or not – people are generally good at conversing. So a faux pas is usually so unfamiliar that we nose-dive straight into stuttering, fumbling, or going silent.

In order to prevent this, we must be well-prepared for saying something dumb. And here’s how.

Step 1: Break the Ice

Everyone worries about breaking the ice, but keeping statements upbeat, cheerful, or relaxed is a great way to invite people into conversation. Stay positive until the other person joins in.

Step 2: If You Screw Up

When you say something weird, inappropriate or mess up, respond to the gaffe playfully. Laugh at yourself. Nothing defuses a tense situation better than laughter. When someone sees that you are taking things in good humour, they usually follow suit.

Change the topic with a question directed at them. Once they answer, allow them to carry the conversation and before you know it, they will have forgotten about the mistake.

Step 3: Preparing Ahead

Once you’ve bypassed one gaffe, you will find yourself better equipped for rescuing dying conversations for yourself or a friend effortlessly. Better still, smaller mistakes which used to strike fear into you will be a breeze.

People make mistakes all the time but it is always possible to recover and turn the situation around.

The secret is to persist gently, enjoy yourself, and allow the other person to follow your lead. By taking responsibility for the conversation, you are showing that you can be happy and relaxed despite a few mistakes here and there.

And you never know where this relaxed attitude could lead to…new friends, new adventures or new partners!

Congratulations!

You’ve made it through The Vault (and hopefully collected a lot of gold on the way)! But your journey doesn’t have to end here. Why not come and train with myself and the team, in person?

Click here to find out about my hands-on “How To” program designed to get rid of the guess-work and take years off of your learning curve!

We’ll take you into the real world and teach you how to be amazing at connecting with anybody, up close and step-by-step!