1. A physical problem

This is a fairly simple and basic problem; the person might be hard of hearing. If this is the case, get them to a doctor for a hearing test, and then maybe a hearing aid is all they need.

2. You’re the problem

The flip side to the first point is that maybe you are just not speaking up enough. If you find that many people aren’t listening to you when you speak, it could be due to you.

Ask someone that you respect if you have a volume problem, and then work to correct it. You can try something as simple as practicing public speaking to taking a speech class.

Another excellent option is taking an acting class and even appearing in some plays. All of these steps will contribute to you learning to enunciate properly and project your voice.

3. They’re too self-absorbed

In some cases, people are so wrapped up in their own lives and concerns that they just don’t want to listen to you – or anyone else. With these people, it can be very difficult to get them to listen to you. About the only way is to put the subject in terms of how it will affect them.

4. They don’t like you or care about what you have to say

Sometimes, why people don’t listen has less to do with what you are saying, and more to do with who you are. It could be an older sibling who doesn’t respect you, a co-worker who is jealous of your work record or abilities, or even a classmate who doesn’t like that you got a higher grade on a recent test.

Depending on the degree of animosity the person feels toward you, you might be able to talk to them and resolve the issue. In some cases, the enmity may run deep, and getting the person to listen to you may be quite difficult, but that is no reason not to try.

5. They don’t like or agree with what you have to say

This is a very common problem, these days; especially in the area of politics. Just tune your TV to any news or opinion program and you will hear people talking about Death Panels and government takeovers, Global Warming and various 9/11 conspiracy theories. Yet, if you try to convince them that they’re wrong – they will not listen.

In some cases, people just don’t want to listen to any view that disagrees with theirs. On the other hand, some people can be swayed if you present them with enough facts; it really depends on the person, and the issue you’re debating.

6. They have a vested interest in not listening

This goes hand in hand with point five. The people on the TV shows that claim Death Panels exist, the US government was behind 9/11, and other horrors have a reason for not listening to anyone who disagrees with them. For them, it’s how they earn their living.

This is a problem that has existed for decades, if not centuries; there are people who will not listen to any view that contradicts theirs, because it would hurt their ability to make money. With these people, accept that you are not going to get them to listen.

When trying to deal with the issue of why people don’t listen to what you or someone else have to say, there are numerous reasons. Examine the ones listed here, and see if the answer can help you to overcome the problem.

You don`t need to remain tongue-tied. There are a number of things you can talk about when you don`t know what to say:

1. Mention a recent movie

These days, there are almost always new movies coming out. Mention a recent one that you’ve seen, and ask the people around you their opinion of it.

If you want to really jump start the conversation, bring up a controversial film (like “Avatar”) and you will get people talking in no time.

2. Ask where the person is from

One thing that people love to talk about is themselves. Ask where someone in the group is from, and then ask follow-up questions about the place.

What were summers/winters there like? Why did they leave? What did they like best about the place?

3. Mention a favorite hobby or pastime

You can also always bring up some hobby or pastime that you enjoy. If people express an interest in it, you can tell them all about it; how you got started, how it’s done, where you go to do it, and so on.

A real help in what to say when you don’t know what to say

is to pick out a hobby or pastime that is very different

from the usual.

For example, if you like cave exploring (also known as spelunking), mention that before saying you like to play soccer.

4. Ask about the person’s family

About the only thing people like to talk about more than themselves is their family. Just one word of warning here: make sure the person you ask about their family actually has one. If not, that can really kill the conversation.

If the person has shown off pictures or mentioned their family previously, then ask what their spouse likes to do. You can ask how their kids are doing in school, and if they have sports or hobbies they like to do. This can also lead to you bringing up your family.

5. Talk about literature

Given the huge amount of reading material around today, you can talk about new novels that are in the bookstores, e-books available online and even graphic comics.

Look around at the people you’re with, and try to gauge

what sort of book would be best to mention. A teen or young adult crowd would be interested in graphic novels, kids might like Harry Potter and adults might enjoy a talk on the latest thriller or romance novel.

6. Bring up politics

These days there is one subject on which everyone has an opinion, and that is politics.

You may need to take care with this subject; if there are people around you that have very extreme views on politics (“Obama’s a communist!” or some such thing), bringing this subject up runs the risk of causing an all out war.

7. Talk about the weather

When all else fails, you can bring up the weather. It may

be a rather weak subject, but it is at least something

everyone can talk about and usually has an opinion on.

As you can see, when you’re stuck for a subject to talk

about, there are ways to deal with the situation of what to say when you don’t know what to say. Make use of a few of these methods, and you’ll always have something to talk about.

1. Do not be embarrassed by the conversation slump

It is actually a funny situation if you think about it, because the nose dive in conversation happens to us all and is the pun of many comedians.

It is also sometimes an embarrassing situation because we are left trying to figure out what the next move is. Perhaps it is ours. Maybe it is theirs.

There are actually no rules. Anyone will be glad if you step in to rescue a conversation.

2. Bring up something familiar

People like to talk about things that they are familiar with and can relate to. For example, many people are familiar and interested with current affairs. Current affairs can bring life to a lull in the conversation.

3. Use your surroundings

There will be many things around and about you that make great conversational subjects when there is nothing else to talk about. Sometimes the seemingly most insignificant thing can spark a conversation.

Take a look around your environment and see what others might not. Your unique observation can become a source of an interesting subject when there is nothing else to talk about.

4. Listen and be ready to participate

You should be ready to step into the conversation at the right time. To be an active participant in any interaction means you have to listen and pay attention.

From this you can catch ideas and process them and at the right time contribute to the conversation when there may be a lull. Also, not listening to the person who is talking is a big contributor to conversations falling flat.

However, it takes both the speaker and listener to make nothing to talk about into some thing fun and worthwhile to talk about.

5. Interact!

Having a good interactive line takes exactly what was mentioned in the previous paragraph: listening!

What is meant by having a good interactive line is to ask questions at the right time, throw in the agreements where appropriate and just basically being involved in the conversation so you keep it moving along.

6. Ask questions

This is a very good way to develop an interactive line of conversation with anyone. Asking pertinent questions at the right time can keep a conversation going onto a variety of different directions, which naturally turns nothing to talk about into ideas that are great conversation topics.

But again this takes the skill of listening and paying attention to what is going on around you.

We have covered six approaches you should take when there`s nothing to talk about. Now let us end with a couple of things you really should not do if you want to rescue the conversation.

1. Do not show impatience

Many people have a tendency to show nervousness and sometimes even agitation when they find themselves among others where there is no conversation.

Your impatience can make others nervous and when people are nervous this creates a tense environment and makes it even more difficult to find things to talk about.

Instead, assert your interest by bringing up something that is fun that everyone can relate to.

2. Do not get nervous

Never be too embarrassed to bring up something to talk about when everyone else might think there is nothing to talk about. You would be surprised at the subjects people are interested in talking about. So be assertive and put something interesting out there.

Everyone has experienced situations where there is nothing to talk about. These types of interactions can create uneasiness, but there are things you can say when there is nothing to talk about.

1. A potential boss

When going on a job interview, you are intent on making the right impression. You can say in a good and clear voice, “How do you do, Mr./Ms (blank)? I’m very pleased to meet you.”

This is a good, direct introduction. It’s neutral, yet pleasant. Do not use their first name until they say it is okay to do so.

2. The new (or potential) client

On the flip side to a new boss is someone who you are trying to get work from. When you first meet such a person, you should say something like “Welcome to my office, Mr./Ms. (blank); (do not refer to them by their first name). Please have a seat, and let’s talk about what my company can do for you.”

This is a good way to start off because it lets them know that you know their name, you’re offering to make them comfortable, and you’re making it clear that you (and your company) are there to serve them.

3. A possible employee

This is the flip side to going on an interview for a job. You want to put the potential new employee at ease.

So, a nice phrase like, “It’s good of you to come in today, Mr./Ms (blank). Please, have a seat, and we’ll have a look at your resume and see if our company is a good match for you.” You put them at ease, kick off the interview with a basic question (asking for their resume), and make it clear that you are interested in having them come on board as an employee.

4. A date

Nothing gets people more nervous than meeting a man/woman for the first time on a date. There’s always the concern that your words could be misinterpreted by the man (or woman) you’re trying to make a good impression on. So, like for a job interview, be pleasant, but generic.

You could try something like, “It’s very nice to meet you, (blank, the person’s first name); I hope we can have a good time today/tonight.”

You want to make it clear that you’re glad to meet the person, but you need to be wary of saying a word or phrase that could have a sexual connotation.

5. Potential in-laws

This is on a par with meeting someone for a first date: meeting the parents of your boyfriend (or girlfriend) for the first time. You want to be polite and pleasant, yet not come across as a suck up.

So, when meeting them for the first time, in this case, try, “How are you, Mr. and Mrs. (blank)? (First name of boy friend or girl friend) has told me about you; it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Do not refer to them as mom or dad, or even by their first names, until they say that it is okay to do so.

By saying it is a pleasure to meet them you are being nice without going overboard. Also, by saying that their son/daughter has told you about them, you make the point that you know something about them, but not a lot. Saying you know a lot about them will ring false, even if it is true, and you want to afford them the chance to tell you more about themselves.

As you can see, what to say when meeting someone for the first time is important, but it need not be difficult. It all depends on who the person is and why you want to meet them.

Believe it or not, starting a conversation with someone you do not know is easier than you might think. Here are some ideas that can help you with what to say when meeting new people.

1. Say something interesting

Part of knowing what to say begins with discovering what the other person is interested in. This discovery can actually become a lead to talking about mutual interests.

This is actually easier than you think. For example, anyone who plays golf wants to improve their game. If you are a golfer and have some pointers about the game this could be a topic to talk about when meeting someone new who is also a golfer.

2. Compliments

Complimenting someone is a sure way to get them to smile and acknowledge you. It will also open the door for you to start a conversation with them. Men are a little different to women when it comes to compliments, however. They do like them, but they like compliments about their abilities rather than their appearance. Women tend to smile at either kind of compliment, so long as you do mot appear overtly sexual about it.

3. Be courteous

Anytime you talk to anyone you should be courteous and this fact is even more so when meeting and talking to new people. When you are courteous in your conversation it sends the message to the other person that you have respect for other people. When first talking to someone you should always refrain from using foul and/or offensive language.

4. Use your surroundings

You may have to interest the other person if you want to engage them in a conversation with you, but you do not have to be too clever about it. When meeting new people, your aim should be in getting a conversation started. Say something which it is easy for the other person to respond to, such as using your surroundings.

You can remark upon an item of decor or the event which has brought you together. Make your comment positive and open-ended, so that the other person feels that their response is wanted and they can answer as they wish to.

5. Hello!

Although this is dealt with last, you should introduce yourself with a cheerful greeting right at the start of meeting new people. People will feel more connected to you if you have broken the ice and told them your name. They may not remember your name, and do not be offended if they do not, but the fact that you have given it to them will make you appear friendly and will make people feel more at ease in talking to you.

In this article you have learned some ideas about what to say when meeting someone new. But in doing so you should have discovered that it is not so much what you say that is important, so much as the fact that you need to be polite and courteous.

It is more of a matter of how you present yourself and how you speak to someone you have just met that counts. Practically any subject can make a good ice breaker so be creative and confident when you think about what you want to say when meeting new people.