You know what my favorite car is?
No car!
I’d rather live in a city where I can walk everywhere than own a new, red Ferrari.
But unfortunately, my favorite cafe in Prague is a 35 minute walk.
And yesterday, I didn’t feel like showing up all sweaty.
So that’s how I found myself on the #3 tram chatting with a Czech bum in Czech.
RELAX
I don’t remember where I heard it, but evidently the homeless feel invisible; and they don’t like that.
Personally, I could be The Invisible Man Monday through Friday as long as I got my daily shower.
But true or not true, I try to make eye contact and smile when the homeless speak to me.
It’s also cheaper than handing out change.
Anyway, that’s how the conversation with the friendly bum on the tram started.
He wanted to talk and I was polite.
He said something about going on vacation.
I gave a short reply.
He said something about going to work.
I nodded and said “Me, too.”
At least, that’s what I think he said.
He could have also been talking about butterflies or antidisestablishmentarianism.
My Czech really isn’t that good.
Now here’s the lesson: I spoke better than usual.
Why?
I was totally relaxed.
Everyone speaks better when they relax.
I mean, who cares if you make a mistake while talking to a drunk guy who lives under a bridge?
Now, the trick is, how to relax in every conversation.
Even when you’re not chatting to a homeless dude on the tram on a Wednesday afternoon…
Unlike some people, I actually like the way you start your talk every day in more or less the same way: you introduce yourself, you say who you’re speaking to, you mention the date—which, by the way, is useful to hear it properly stated—and so on and so forth. I actually think it’s an excellent routine to help prepare for listening.
At first, one might be a little distracted, and this routine gives a clear signal that it’s time to focus, because active listening is about to begin.
It’s a bit like a child getting ready to listen to a story—you get into the right mindset… and that’s exactly what you do with this introduction routine. Well, that’s just my opinion, but I personally find this approach suits me perfectly.”
All good points. Thanks.
You speak better and remember easily the words when you’re relax