 By Nathan Jordan |
When it comes to conversation I consider myself something of an artist. |
To put this in perspective, imagine if Vincent Van Gogh were able to speak instead of paint. He may, on occasion, utter something as breathtakingly intelligent as what spews forth from my mouth on a daily basis.
Part 1: Active Listening
This is what I spew.
And what makes me such a great conversationalist? Well, to begin with, like all good conversationalists I am able to talk in an informed manner about any subject and make it interesting for the layperson. For instance, the other day I discussed some recent irregular bowel movements with my hairdresser. For the entire thirty minute conversation my stylist was so enthralled he didn’t say a word. He just stared at me with a blank look that said, “Man, Nathan Jordan is a good talker.”
Strangely enough, as a student and practitioner of the art of conversation, I often find myself standing alone at cocktail parties. “But how is it possible,” you are asking yourself, “that such a learned, handsome, intelligent, well-spoken man like Nathan Jordan ends up in the corner at a cocktail party, an environment so hospitable to dialogue and discourse? Surely, Nathan is the most interesting person in the room.” Well, yes, I am the most interesting person in the room, and that’s precisely the problem.
Stupid. All of them.
It seems that being such a master of talk, I may be a bit intimidating to speak to. The common folk just don’t understand the fine art of conversation. Unfortunately, when I try to correct the faults of others during a conversation, it often ends with the person walking away, angry and frustrated that they can’t speak as well as me. Or perhaps they are just jealous of my perfect jaw line. So, as a service to others, I have decided to write a quick tutorial on how to hold a conversation.
