Trading Information and Maintaining Conversations

Trading Information and Maintaining Conversations

In class this week, we learned about Common Conversation Topics among young adults, such as school or work gossip, problems with friends and family, dating, shopping, hair and makeup, movies, TV, comic books, anime, manga, video games, computer games, music, concerts, news, and hobbies.

We also learned the rules for Trading Information and Maintaining Conversations which are:

• Don’t be repetitive

• Listen to your friend

• Ask open-ended questions

• Don’t brag

• Don't be argumentative

• Don't police

• Don't tease

• Use good volume control

• Use good body boundaries

• Use good eye contact

Social Story

Trading Information and Maintaining Conversations

My name is Alex, and I am a university student. I like talking with my classmates and making friends. Sometimes, I want to share information and have conversations. Here are some things I can do to improve my conversations.

When I talk with my friends, we can discuss interesting topics. We can discuss school, favorite movies, or new video games. I enjoy hearing about what they think and feel.

To keep the conversation going, I will remember the following rules:

1. I will listen to my friend. Listening is important because it shows that I care about what they are saying. When I listen, I can understand their thoughts and feelings.

2. I can ask open-ended questions. Questions like "What do you think about this movie?" or "How was your weekend?" help my friend share more. This makes our conversations more interesting.

3. I will avoid bragging. It’s nice to share my achievements, but I don’t want to make my friend feel bad. I will focus on sharing experiences rather than boasting.

4. I will not be argumentative. If we disagree, I can express my opinion respectfully without trying to prove my friend wrong. It’s okay to have different views.

5. I won’t police or tease. I want my friends to feel safe when they talk to me. I will not correct them harshly or make fun of them. This helps build trust.

6. I will use good volume control. I will speak at a comfortable volume. If we are in a quiet place, I will remember to lower my voice.

7. I will respect body boundaries. I will keep a comfortable distance when talking to my friends. This shows that I respect their personal space.

8. I will maintain good eye contact. Looking at my friends while they talk helps me stay engaged in the conversation. It shows that I am interested in what they are saying.

When I follow these rules, I will feel happy and confident in my conversations. My friends will appreciate that I listen and share information respectfully. This will help me make new connections and have fun discussions. It’s great to know that I can improve my conversations and enjoy talking with others!