Communication is essential (必要的) in our daily life. But do you know how to build good communication? Here is some advice:

Listen to others, ask questions and be truly interested in your workmates. This will lead to everybody being more open with each other. The more interested you are in others, the more they will share with you and open the door to a closer relationship.

It is helpful to share more about yourself. You can share your personal stories and interests. As you share, others will also share more as well. And you can begin a positive share loop (正能量循环) where you are building relationships with others.

We can avoid our blind spots (盲点) by asking for feedback. Blind spots are things about ourselves that others can see but we cannot. The more we’re open to feedback, the more we can know and manage ourselves.

Accepting others’ bad habits builds relationships. It also helps you to be better accepted by others as well.

In the popular love story, The Bridges of Madison County, the actress leaves a diary which allows her children to know her more deeply-including some surprising secrets. Although you certainly wouldn’t want anyone to read your diary, making sure others understand you is a basic part of love.

Four years ago, I lived in a boarding house with more than 20 girls, and last year I lived in another house with 5 girls. Now I find myself living alone… Of course, there are both advantages and disadvantages of my new living situation!

Since I’ve lived by myself I can get away with doing things that I couldn’t do when I lived with other people. For example, last week I ate potato chips for breakfast and ice cream for dinner and no one was here to judge me! It also means I can dance as freely and sing as loudly as I want and no one is here to tell me to be quiet.

The best thing about living alone is that I don’t have to deal with annoying habits and messy housemates. I’ve had many different roommates and flatmates and however much I’ve loved (some of) them, everyone does irritating things and not everybody is a tidy person.

Although there are so many advantages, there are times when I miss living with other people. Firstly, I miss making and eating dinner with others. Secondly, I miss coming home to flatmates and telling them all about my day and hearing about theirs. Finally, and most importantly, I can no longer watch horror films because I get too scared by myself!

How to improve your conversation skills

Do you like to meet new people? Do you like to talk, or are you shy? Whatever your answers, this guide can help you improve, your conversation skills.

【小题1】

To begin with, say something about the weather or the place you’re in. Talk about the weekend we all have something to say about weekends!

【小题2】

Know about events in the news. Read restaurant and movie reviews. Find out about the popular music scene or what’s new in fashion or sports.

【小题3】

Keep eye contact and say, “Yes,” “Hmm,” “Uh-huh,” “Right,”and “I know.” And say, “Really?” “That’s interesting.” It encourages people to talk.

【小题4】

Ask questions like “What do you do in your free time?” or “What kind of food do you like?” Use follow-up questions to keep the conversation going.

【小题5】

Responses like “I have no comment.” and “I don’t know.” can sound rude. And if you don’t want to answer a personal question, simply say, “Oh, I’m not sure I can answer that,” or “I’d rather not say.”