Beyond Small Talk | Practice the Art of Conversation

Beyond Small Talk | Practice the Art of Conversation
Ever find yourself wondering how to start a conversation with someone new? Or struggle to keep a conversation going beyond the usual questions?
Perhaps you sometimes find it difficult to share things about yourself, or you simply want to feel more comfortable and confident when meeting new people.

Then come and join us for Beyond Small Talk, an interactive session where we'll explore what makes conversations enjoyable, practise our listening skills and discover how to share a little more of ourselves.

What we'll explore:
We'll experiment with different ways of approaching everyday conversations, including:

• Moving beyond cliché questions: How can we turn predictable questions into more interesting conversations?
• Listening and responding: Are we really listening to what someone says, or are we just thinking about what we're going to say next?
• Sharing more of ourselves: How can we introduce ourselves in a way that gives people a genuine insight into who we are?

We'll also have a few interactive games and exercises along the way.
By the end, you'll have had the opportunity to experiment with different approaches to conversation and put together a 20–30 second introduction you can use when meeting someone new, whether that's at a social event, in everyday life or on a date.

What this isn't:
This isn't a public-speaking course, a lecture or a lesson in becoming the most charismatic person in the room.
There's no cookie-cutter script to learn, no pressure to impress anyone and no expectation that you have to be an extrovert.
It's about getting to know yourself a little better, recognising that your own experiences are worth sharing, and becoming more comfortable expressing who you are.
And, of course, having a laugh along the way!

Who is this for?
This event is part of DevelopMEN, an English-speaking men's community in Madrid. Whether you're new to Madrid, looking to expand your social circle, naturally more introverted, or simply interested in having more meaningful conversations, you're welcome.

You don't need to have attended one of our previous events, and you certainly don't need to be particularly confident at starting conversations.
Just come as you are, be open to experimenting, and take your time.

Donations:
DevelopMEN events are donation-based. There's no fixed ticket price, and contributions are entirely voluntary.
If you'd like to support what we're building and help us keep creating opportunities for men to connect, you're welcome to make a donation. Please only contribute what you're comfortable with.
Everyone is welcome regardless of whether they donate.

Language:
All DevelopMEN events are conducted in English. You'll need to be comfortable communicating in English to take part.
We look forward to meeting you! 🤝