Mass Transit...

[Mr. Mystery]

An essential skill to have to succeed in cold PU is the ability to talk to people, more importantly: strangers.

I've been looking for good places to talk to people, just to start up random conversations with everyone. You can do it anywhere, but its not comfortatble for some people at first.

One great way to get comfortable is to use mass transit. I was on the Metro today and sparked converstations with everyone near me.

Once your comfortable starting converstations with strangers, you will not have trouble thinking of something to say to break the ice, it will become something thats just natural for you, you are just starting a conversation.

Better yet, your life will become much more interesting.

Mr. Mystery

 

[-HPNOTQ-]

Good Post...

I agree with the Quote you have by DH Lawrence.

 

[Hey]

the problem with mass transit is that most people tend to have their shields fully up.
The most common ice breaker on mt is the asking for directions. Even if you know the city well, just say that you don't usually go to this area, or that you usually drive or something. Then you could possibly flow it into a conversation.

oh..and watch the Subway episode of Seinfeld.

 

[Mr. Mystery]

Hey:

I live in the D.C. area, and I do think people seem cold if you are just looking around at them, but have you tried talking to them? Maybe its different in NYC, but I doubt it.

Once you open/break the ice with someone by commenting on something about them: clothing, accent, directions, where they are heading, ect, its all good. You'd be hard pressed to find someone that won't talk to you on a mass transit, with the exception of mornings when everyone is still half-asleep, but even then I can't see someone being rude enough to not talk to you.

But there are sooo many ways to open people, try it, thats what this tip is all about, mass transit is a great opportunity to practice talking to people and working on your openers. If like you say, people are cold and don't want to talk, all the better for your practice.

Mr. Mystery

 

[Ashlee Angel]

Another way I learned to start convo's with people. Was to get eye contact with whoever is around me and just say hi or what's up.

It's really that simple.

 

[Mr. Mystery]

Ashlee,

Whats up Ashlee.

This post is just a "tip" for a good place to practice starting and having conversations since everyone is stational, there are no moving targets (which still are a tough one for me).

Your approach of waiting for eye contact and saying hi would work great in the subway as well as well...anywhere, but this is just an example of one place I've found to be a great place to meet people.

I have to meet new people everyday to make a living, its a big part of my occupation and I've found the metro is a good place to do it since there are lots of people. It also makes a great place to sarge.

Mr. Mystery