conversationalist shapes his remarks accordingly. Richard Washburn Child says he

knows a man of mediocre ability who can charm men much abler than himself when

he discusses electric lighting. This same man probably would bore, and be bored,

if he were forced to converse about music or Madagascar.

 

Avoid platitudes and hackneyed phrases. If you meet a friend from Keokuk on

State Street or on Pike's Peak, it is not necessary to observe: "How small this

world is after all!" This observation was doubtless made prior to the formation

of Pike's Peak. "This old world is getting better every day." "Fanner's wives do

not have to work as hard as formerly." "It is not so much the high cost of

living as the cost of high living." Such observations as these excite about the

same degree of admiration as is drawn out by the appearance of a 1903-model

touring car. If you have nothing fresh or interesting you can always remain

silent. How would you like to read a newspaper that flashed out in bold

headlines "Nice Weather We Are Having," or daily gave columns to the same old

material you had been reading week after week?

 

QUESTIONS AND EXERCISES

 

1. Give a short speech describing the conversational bore.

 

2. In a few words give your idea of a charming converser.

 

3. What qualities of the orator should _not_ be used in conversation.