Six Tips to Make Small Talk with Anyone

Tip 1

Start the conversation yourself. Arm yourself with possible discussion topics in advance of a social event so that you're more apt to start the conversation.

Tip 2

Look for common interests.  Take you cues from what the other person is doing, reading, watching, wearing or listening to.

Tip 3

Don't get too personal.  Leave your sex life, health, political views and religious beliefs off the discussion table until you know that the other person would be comfortable talking about such things.

Tip 4

Keep discussion topics broad.  Try talking about universal things like the economy, music or movies.

Tip 5

Listen.  Do some of the talking and then be quiet and listen.  By the way, look the other person in the eye when doing so.

Tip 6

Know when to call it quits.  If the chit chat burns out, thank them for the conversation and then excuse yourself.

Source

Marketers Should Rejoice - Profile of the Perfect Man is Released

A poll by Austin Reed clothing retailer identifies the qualities of the perfect guy as described by their female responders.

Beer drinking? Check.  Stylish?  Hm.

Here's the list:

1. 6 feet tall
2. Toned and athletic
3. Brown eyes
4. Short dark hair
5. Smart dress sense
6. Beer drinker
7. Non-smoker
8. Wears smart jeans, shirt and a V-neck jumper
9. Gets ready in 17 minutes
10. Stylish
11. Wants a family
12. Earns £48,000 ($77,000) a year
13. Loves shopping
14. Eats meat
15. Clean shaven
16. Smooth chest
17. Watches soaps
18. Enjoys watching football
19. Drives an Audi
20. Educated to degree level
21. Earns more than his other half
22. Jokes around and has a laugh
23. Sensitive when his wife/girlfriend is upset
24. Says 'I love you' only when he means it
25. Admits it when he looks at other women
26. Has a driver's license
27. Can swim
28. Can ride a bike
29. Can change a tire
30. Calls mom regularly

But before American marketers begin to include a facsimile of this guy in their female-oriented ads, it's important to note that Austin Reed is a British company.  I'm assuming that the majority of the survey respondents were women of Great Britain.

I wonder how many of these qualities overlap with the American woman's ideal?

Source

Six Weapons of Mass Distraction

Source

Do you think this could happen on our LRT?

Subway riders in Copenhagen were provided a classic ride.

The question of the moment: If you were surrounded by members of the Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra giving you a personal concert, would you remove your ear buds?

Source

Chances are Good You're Buying Something from the Big Ten of Consumer-Good Companies

Click here to enlarge.

The Reality of Sending Emails at Work

Cute or Sexist?

What's the intended message for the young female target market of this product? I had a mom of a 16 year old daughter tell me "it's really cute." 

Hm.

Source