Always Know What To Say - Easy Ways To Approach And Talk To Anyone

by Peter W. Murphy

Want to know the easy way to approach and make conversation with new people? In this book you`ll discover simple ways to ensure you always have something interesting to talk about.

Find out how popular people make it look so easy and how you can do the same.

This short 17 page book covers the following strategies:

- How to Approach Someone to Start a Conversation
- 9 Great Ways to Confidently Approach Anyone
- How to Stop Feeling Nervous When Meeting New People
- What to Say When Introducing Yourself to New People
- 6 Easy Ways to Avoid Getting Stuck for Words
- 10 Interesting Topics of Conversation for Every Occasion
- The Best Questions to Keep a Conversation Going
- How to Shine in Conversation with Listening Skills
- How to Use Body Language to Read People Like a Book
- Show People You Like Them and Make Friends with Ease

Start reading this book right away and you`ll enjoy better conversation skills and have much more fun talking to the people in your day to day life.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Business, Communication, Personal Development, Reference, Psychology

94 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 15, 2011

Reviews

[☘Misericordia☘ ⚡ϟ⚡⛈⚡☁ ❇️❤❣ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-thought-out guide for robots on how to overcome the small-talk limitations incorpoprated into the modern robots. Kidding.
Well, the ideas are ok, they are short and up to the point. They are also well-explored elsewhere.

Q:
quiet obvious (c)
Q:
stay in touch in people (c)

[Danielle West · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this book is kind of like reading a serious of mediocre blog posts. A lot of solid advice that is either very obvious or in the easier said then done column. Filled with a smattering of exclamation points so that you know that this is all very exciting information!

On a scale from Totally Awesome to Horrifically Awful, I'd give it a Not Horrifically Awful. You could find the same info, probably less annoyingly written, with a quick google search. But the book is free, so...yeah. Reading it wouldn't be a complete waste of time and wont cost you any money.

[Thomas · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'll give the author the benefit of the doubt and say he probably was not writing this with autism in mind. Or anxiety. Well, anxiety past the "cute and quirky, with sweaty hands" stage, anyway. This book does not deal with what to do when you vomit on that cute stranger.

For the first half it seems to be afraid of commas. Towards the end it becomes apparent that the writer doesn't understand that commas, force a pause. See what I did there? I got all self demonstrating up in this bitch.

Some sentences used far more words than needed. The points repeated themselves a lot, and were mostly common sense stuff. No shit, if you want to hang out with friends you need to go and hang out with your friends.

It also treated going to events as this weirdly self-perpetuating cycle. You go out and you get invited to go out more, that much is obvious, but the book puts it in such a way that I wondered "what's the point? There's no end to this. There's not even a goal. Just go out and fucking do it so you can it some more.". I was struck by how many things like this we encounter daily. I was struck by how bizarre and pointless life is. This is one of those books that made me question my continued existence.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple Advice

I didn't find anything wrong with this book, but I didn't find much that was new or particularly useful, either. However, reminders of the simple ways to improve your conversations is not a bad thing. In fact, if you haven't mastered the basics, that's going to be the best place to start anyway.

[Marco · Rating 1 out of 5]

I mainly read this because it was free on Amazon Kindle and I thought it'd be a good comparison to Quiet The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain.

From the perspective of someone who is a gregarious, (perhaps-sometimes-overly-)talkative extrovert, I've never really had a problem with knowing what to say, though I wanted to improve myself in terms of making good conversation, what with Freshers at university coming soon.

The book gave plenty of good tips (mainly ones that are common sense and that most talkative teens subconscious know already!) however it started off being very basic, so this is really for shy people who are perhaps misanthropic.

Although this book never explains the difference between extroverts and introverts (which Quiet The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking does), it does allude to introverts when it talks about people who recharge by spending time alone. However, the book also makes the egregious error of implying that introversion is equal to shyness.

No, it is not! The author desperately needs to read Quiet The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking and incorporate Susan Cain's ideas despite being some sort of "peak performance expert." Also, the author got a bit heteronormative when it talks about how people may be shy on talking to people of the "opposite sex." Sigh.

Apart from those two errors, it is not bad as a back-to-the-basics and in some ways it was a huge eye-opener to me to see what it was like for people who don't normally like small talk and the like. Not worth the read though. If you want to "Always Know What to Say" - PRACTISE! Don't waste your time reading this book!

[Esmael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simplistic.

[Mariah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I decided to pick up an old book in my garage that was meant to be sold in next month’s garage sale, and would have most likely been unnoticed each morning as I walk past it to get into my car. The title caught my eye, Always Know What to Say: Easy Ways to Approach and Talk to Anyone by Peter W Murphy. Don’t let this seventeen-page booklet fool you: it breaks down several areas such as how to approach someone, how to carry on a conversation, and even strategies to read one’s body language. I came across a review on an online Couponing site, Lisa B writes in reference to this book that, “key distinctions you can apply right away to go from being tongue tied and unsure of what to say to having fun meeting people and getting to know them better” (Amazon). These distinctions can be found throughout the book, for example, on page 7 when Murphy assures the reader that new people one meets “are human too: no better or worse than you. They are also unlikely to be judging as harshly as you fear!” (Murphy 7). Not only did the book present tips on making a good first impression, but it also went in depth to explain topics that can be brought up during conversation. Although this book was not useful for myself because I do not find myself having the same issues described in the book, I would recommend it to a friend who experiences social anxiety because the book is easy to understand and many reviews I have read claim the book has eased their social fears. Rebecca on Amazon writes that she immensely enjoyed this how-to and that “With this book anyone should be able to survive a party or talk to strangers on a plane. I personally find that listening to people talk about their life is a good way to make people like you. Being a shy person by nature I found some of this book to be very useful” (Amazon). A large part of the material in this book I could not apply to my life, but overall I believe this book could properly assist a shy person in relieving some of their social anxieties.

[The Book Man · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very short interesting book.
If you are a shy person or if you are a business major then for sure this book is important for you.
It is about communication and the importance of it. Even if you’re not that communicative person here are some tips of “how to be a good communicator”.
It does not give tips to “impress” people. I think a good/servant leader does not want to impress others. If there is a leader that wants to impress people; it would not seem to me impressive at all.
This kind of approach appears fake and being fake will make people wary of us. We should know and always remember that the people we meet are human too: no better or worse than us.
So, we should stay TRUE to ourselves even if there will be people that won’t like us. We should accept that we can face people that won’t like us…this doesn’t necessarily make them bad people; they are just not our types of people.
And here it is an advice to end up,
“Stay confident, be calm and don’t let nervous thoughts fill your brain. Just focus on yourself and the words that you need to express!”
P.S: “Communication is a YES.” ;)

[Kimberly R. Decker]

Easy read, realistic advice

I like that this book offer practical and realistic advice. it provided a few conversation starters for different situations and keys on how to keep the conversation moving. The one thing I didn't care for was the beginning of the book which listed all the mistakes people make when meeting new people. To me, the focus was negative, discussing all the bad things one does versus instilling confidence in the reader. Overall there are helpful conversational tips. I don't think it will change my future interactions much, but may change my attitude as I approach them.

[Malola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book.

I wanted to put it four stars because it's a rather simple book, but that wouldn't be fair, since the book delivers what it promises. (It could have been better and rely on studies and articles. It just lacks a scientific approach.)
I applaud the author and editor for not having any typo, grammar error or lack of orthography. (I'm letting pass two accent marks " ` " that were used insteaf two apostrophes " ' " at the conclusion)
Seriously, it's like the first book I read in seven years that is clean.

[Micki Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Self Help Book for those that have difficulty knowing what to say when meeting new people.

Great Self Help Book for those that have difficulty knowing what to say when meeting new people. I have social anxiety and just reading this book it gave me anxiety! It has great information to help start a conversation and keep it going! I already knew a lot of the skills taught in this book, but it’s helpful to know that I am not alone in my social anxiety and that it’s possible to be more comfortable in social situations! 🙃

[Kameisha Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Common Sense

I chose this book to read because I felt that as an entrepreneur and CEO, I needed to become better at socializing/networking with my peers and colleagues. Not only was it a quick read, but this particular book was written in a very understandable way. It is very accessible! Basic human interaction is simplified in Murphy's piece, and he does a great job at breaking down the concepts he brings forth. Super helpful.

[Eileen Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enlightening

Enlightening

This book had lots of insight on how to be better at communicating with others. It opened my eyes to stunned things that I do and didn't realize were not good when talking with others. Well worth reading if you are interested in being a better conversationalist.

[M☆♡ Khan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, to-the-point instruction manual on how to socialise.
The points do seem like common sense, but frankly common sense is not that common and people really do need to make an effort to like/respect everyone.
3 stars because i needed more, as in more explanation, more examples, more personal experiences of the author himself.
Overall its a good book.

[Kendra Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Regurgitation

Only a child raised by wolves wouldn’t have heard all these ideas a hundred times before. I was hoping to hear something new when I started reading. It is very short, so that is something, anyway.

[Valerie Steimle · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy and understandable help for those who need an insightful voice in what to say to others... A great reference book...

[Alynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helpful but I am not satisfied. I am looking for more...

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lame, lame and lame!

[Urth Lin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not know what to say about this book.

[Marco Morales · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read that also happens to be free so here are my five cents. I struggle with finding something productive or interesting to say when talking to strangers. I just can't seem to find the motivation to start or continue a conversation because I don't have anything to say. It feels like such a challenge to muster up the energy to start a conversation with someone. Even when I do manage to break the ice, I feel as if my mental capacity reached its limit and the inevitable breakdown of the discourse begins. I know a majority of my incompetence has to do with not wanting to change or improve that aspect of me. Well no more, after reading this book in about a day or so I have come to the conclusion that much of what I have been missing was nothing new. It seems to me this entire time I have been lacking simple common sense when it comes to striking up a conversation and maintaining one. Man, do I feel dumb. But honestly, no matter what book you read or what class you take, anything that you learn will be meaningless if you do not act upon the newfound information. You must take action with the intention to make progress in whatever you are doing, that includes speaking to others about a broad range of subjects. I know I must put in an effort if I want to progress and there is no excuse for not doing so, especially since I want this for me. So, with common sense at hand, I will aim to have a conversation that won't include me sleeping on my feet.

[Nicole O'Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now, this is a book that I really enjoyed! I'm so pleased to have found it.
The suitability of book cover is plain and simple.
The content is easy to understand.
The language used is of a good standard with simple words.
Readability is easy.
The length is adequate and not unnecessarily drawn out.
The use of vocabulary is plain language.
The standard of punctuation is good.
The originality and outcome of the storyline all depend on how the reader interprets and uses this useful guide within their own lives.
The characters are potentially all around us, and we need to start conversing with them as soon as possible. Practice, practice, practice!
The most likeable part was that the author makes me think I have the power to change and upgrade my communication skills if I put in the effort and practice his advice.
I would recommend this to readers who struggle with communication and social skills.
Would I read more from this author? Yes.

[Lisa Cromwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this book and that is just me giving an honest review. That is not to say that this book would not be helpful for the right person. I read it just for the simple fact that it was free and I thought it might have something in it that I found helpful and interesting. I should start by saying that I do not struggle to meet and talk to strangers. I do not talk over people and try to dominate the conversation in any way. I have actually been working for a few years on being a better listener and less of a talker. For the most part I am successful in this endeavor. I do feel that if you are a introvert, wallflower or shy in any way......this book could be just what you need to grow another level in human interaction.

[Pooria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part 1 was basically worth of 5-10 pages (Kindle Edition) content that was repeated in different ways. In Part 2, the first half, was just like Part 1 in a seemingly more practical manner. But the other half was not bad. It provided you with some 'sample' sentences/questions...which you could use. But after reading a couple of these 'public speaking', 'social communication skills' type of books and some articles I learned that it all boils down to...*drum roll* actually getting out there and talking *drum roll continues* talk to people, fail, say something stupid so they laugh at you, say a joke and wait for no one to laugh at you. This communication skill I believe is the only skill that truly needs practice, success and failure.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who focus on Murphy's gaffes in style, punctuation, etc., this book might seem of little value. More off-putting for me is what I see as his making himself too far-removed from the lessons he tries to teach: "In these situations, do A, B, C...."

Yes, he offers some very good advice for a variety of situations. Murphy put a lot of time and research into this book; I highlighted several passages in my Kindle. But I would have appreciated more of: "When I was in this situation, I...," followed by what he did wrong or right, and maybe how he grew over time in his ability to communicate and be a friend.

On the one hand, you might be thinking, "Jeff, this book is not an autobiography. Consider, instead, the benefits of applying even some of his suggestions. You're making too big a deal about his lack of self-disclosure." It is indeed true that we shouldn't miss the purpose of the book (which was my point earlier in this review). But, it is a book about communication, which should be, at least in part, sharing something of our personal experiences.

Nevertheless, despite these concerns of mine, there's enough of value here to raise this up a notch.

[Murilo Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part of the book is very interesting because it allows you to see insecurities, lack of confidence, habits and patters that show that you can improve in order to be more social. In this first part, he also giver some subtle tips and ways to improve yourself without a magic wand (the book is very realistic in this sense). Worth 5 stars.

The second part, however, gets more and more self-help-like kind of book. As the second part goes on, the stars go like this; 4 stars, 3, 2 and 1, finally. But because of the useful four steps to do daily and the first part, I’ll force myself to give 4 stars as my act of kindness for the day :)

[Emma Borgens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh it's a good one if you're really stuck on how to converse w ppl , but the chapters I was originally interested in "How to stop feeling nervous when meeting new ppl" and "6 easy ways to avoid getting stuck for words" we're not helpful besides the lesson on not letting anyone's negative response effect your attitude --there are thousands of other factors in life that can make someone react negatively , so don't take it out on yourself when you don't get the appropriate response

Downloaded free on Apple Books

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy short read. It was more of a troubleshooting guide of somebody who is ready to start conversations, but has either failed miserably or is kind of in a rut about their conversations & where to go next. Would have loved to see more of emotional motivation for shy people & even something more to connect to the principals (i.e. a funny story or experience that they can take) otherwise people forget the points.

[Acsah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is okay and has quite a lot of useful tips. I personally think the best being the decision to like people and learning to listen.

It isn't great for anyone seeking any advance conversation skills (although I think practise would enable one acquire those) or people with particular challenges but it doesn't claim to be.

It's worth a read if you are shy and want a bit of help conversing with others without sinking back in.

[Yenison Alberto Quezada Santana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good book in my opinion, but it's not eye opening. it's really easy to read, but at the same time is too repetitive, the author keeps saying the same thing over and over again which makes the book a little bit boring. However, there was one phrase that catch my attention: "Life is richer, brighter and more colorful with great people to share the journey". This phrase reminds me to always look around me and see all the wonderful people that makes me stronger and happier every day

[Ruta Alb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overly confident author of the book gives a detailed guide for the people who have difficulties in approaching and speaking with people they don't know.
The guide is step by step, easy to understand, bur for my taste - very pushy and one sided. I can't say there is nothing useful in this guide, but this book needs a specific audience. And I am not it.
So what did I take from this book to myself?
It's all about your attitude, cause „Your happiness is entirely under your control“.