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Articles by Tracey Bennett

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14 articles by Tracey Bennett · showing 14

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By Tracey BennettMar 29, 20111 topic

How to, Um, You Know, Like Spoil a Conversation

Last week I was listening to this, you know, podcast. The topic interested me: it was, you know, how to set goals. And one of the two speakers sprinkled, like, empty words as frequently as I am, you know, doing right now. Listening for the goal-getting gems was, you know, like panning for gold. Nuggets were there, just hidden in a stream of, you know, like, distracting pebbles. Enough examples? Point made? What to do about it? If you don't care how you communicate, and your f

Primary topic: Vocabulary and Learning How to Improve Vocabulary

Vocabulary and Learning How to Improve Vocabulary

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By Tracey BennettJan 4, 20111 topic

10 Tips to Write a Great Thank-You Note

Do you know how to write a great thank-you note? You will when you follow these ten tips. It's easy. Here's your incentive: The better you write, the more great gifts you'll get. It's the Law of Attraction in action. Be sure to use my my Secret Knock-It-Out-Of-the-Park Tip to make the giver feel great. 1. Be speedy.rnIf the gift of flowers has turned to mulch, you're writing too late. My friend Beverly was at the other extreme: On Christmas afternoon her mother sat her down a

Primary topic: Habits

Habits

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By Tracey BennettNov 18, 20101 topic

Great Conversation Topics: 3 Strategies to Enjoy Conversations With a Crabby Person

Even great conversation topics can lead into dark alleys when you're talking to a grump. Nobody likes to talk to a whiny, crabby person. But sometimes you gotta. Maybe you feel obligated. Maybe sheâs your mother or your monster-in-law. Chin up! You can dump that urge to smash the phone to smithereens. A handful of great conversation topics can turn a whine-fest into a winning conversation, one you both can enjoy. My favorite crabby person isnât my mom. Itâs her best fri

Primary topic: Family

Family

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By Tracey BennettNov 18, 20101 topic

Good Conversation Starters: What to Do When Your Great Ice Breaker Fails to Start Conversation

Your great ice breaker just melted on the floor. Do you know how to recover when your ice breaker fails to start conversation? Follow these two tips and you'll successfully talk to men or women every time. The Ice Breaker That Belly Flopped As a new member of the National Association of Pen Women, I don't know many people in my chapter. No problem. Since I'm the Queen of Conversation, I always have a batch of good conversation starters ready to go. Sitting at the lunch table

Primary topic: Dating

Dating

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By Tracey BennettNov 13, 20101 topic

12 Awful First Date Tips: Drink Chablis With a Straw

Wondering what to do on a first date? Here are 12 awful ways to impress a woman. Good first date tips include conversation on first date, flirting & etiquette. Thatâs just silly. Women readers: see if your dates have pulled these stunts on youâ¦.er, I mean, perhaps you could pick up some tips, too. So-called experts say that these are things not to do on a romantic first date. Nuts to them. Set the tone of the relationship right from the start by being yourself. Always bei

Primary topic: Dating

Dating

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By Tracey BennettNov 12, 20101 topic

"We Need to Talk" - How to Start a Difficult Conversation with a Partner, Colleague or Neighbor

Relationships are like shoes. Sometimes they fit, and sometimes they cause annoying, painful blisters. For example, your partner doesn't call when running late; your colleague at work taps his pencil incessantly; and a neighbor trashes your yard. Sometimes you need to confront the offender and get it off your chest. How do you start a difficult conversation about relationship issues without making the situation worse? Here are two tips to help resolve relationship conflicts w

Primary topic: Relationship Advice

Relationship Advice

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By Tracey BennettNov 12, 20101 topic

First Date Conversation Tips: 9 Horrible, Awful Conversation Topics and What to Talk About Instead

1. Your Pet Peeves Drivers who cut you off in traffic. Long lines at airport security. (Yawn.) You might as well get a forehead tattoo that says BORING WHINER. On the other hand, if you can tell a story about an impatient traveler who convinced 43 people to let him or her cut in line, then youâre out of boring territory and into the land of intrigue. Especially if youâre that traveler. 2. Gripes About Your Job Your dates donât want to hear what a pain in the ankle your

Primary topic: Dating

Dating

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By Tracey BennettNov 12, 20101 topic

Starting a Great Conversation: Your New Best Friend or Lover Could Be One Question Away

Think about the people you see all the time. How well do you know them? You could be missing out on great conversation or making a good friend. Use great conversation questions to get people to tell you their stories. People will tell you amazing stories when you care enough to ask. Your new best friend could be one question away. Letâs Start With Ruth My elderly friend Ruth lives in Florida. When we talk on the phone, she complains about her blindness and her health troubl

Primary topic: Friendship & Loneliness

Friendship & Loneliness

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By Tracey BennettNov 12, 20101 topic

Conversation Tips: What to Do When You Forget Someoneâs Name

Youâve just met this person at the office, and 2 minutes into the conversation, oops! Her name flies out the window of your memory. When youâre talking to your neighbor, you forget her name, too. Welcome to the club. What are you going to do now? Begin With These 3 Tips: 1. Stay calm.rn2. Remember that forgetting names happens to everyone, and everyone is likely to forgive your lapse.rn3. As much as you can, stay involved in the conversation. We tend to leave it while we

Primary topic: Communication Skills and Training

Communication Skills and Training

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By Tracey BennettNov 12, 20101 topic

How to Flirt and Start a Conversation With âWhatâs Your Sign?â

Starting a conversation with men and women is easy. Follow these tips and âWhatâs your sign?â will lead from casual talk to flirting to genuine first-date conversation. The conversation starter âWhatâs your sign?â had its heyday in the 60â²s when the musical Hair turned everyoneâs attention to the Age of Aquarius. Nowadays, it can be a trite conversation topic for couples. It could lead only to small talk. Thereâs one exception though: If youâre slightly kn

Primary topic: Relationship Advice

Relationship Advice

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By Tracey BennettAug 5, 20091 topic

Good Conversation Starters - How to Start a Conversation With the Cliche "Haven't We Met Before?"

A good conversation starter is like a car engine. If you don't have one, you aren't going anywhere. When can you say, "Haven't we met before?" without sounding like a clichÃ©? There is a way to turn this ancient ice breaker into a good conversation starter without sounding common as dirt, dry as dust, and strictly for the birds. Or worse, like a failed pickup artist. There is a way to turn an old pickup line into a good impression. Can you start a good conversation with a cli

Primary topic: Dating

Dating

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By Tracey BennettAug 5, 20091 topic

Have You Mastered This Essential Conversation Skill: How to Change the Subject?

Have you been at the mercy of a bore or windbag? Did you want to change the subject and talk about something interesting? You can. And when your date or interviewer asks questions you don't want to answer, you can deftly change the subject and talk about something else. Media trainers have a name for this conversation technique: bridging. I learned this handy switcheroo tool from an unlikely source. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (yes, the Beatles' guru), told this story about being i

Primary topic: Dating

Dating

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By Tracey BennettAug 5, 20091 topic

Good Conversation Starters - 3 Sure-Fire Tips to Flirt Successfully & Break the Ice With Women ... or Men

Here's practical advice for meeting women (or men). You're waiting for an elevator or you're squeezin' the Charmin at the market when you spot someone intriguing. You break the ice with a smile. Even a slight chin or eyebrow lift can get his or her attention. Next comes the fun (or scary) part: saying something. But what? These three tips guarantee that you'll always know how to break the ice and start a conversation. Better yet, you'll always have something relevant and atte

Primary topic: Dating

Dating

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By Tracey BennettFeb 6, 20091 topic

How to Create a Fun Valentine's Day Date on a Tight Budget

Romantic Valentine's Day date ideas don't have to bust your budget. Here's a recipe for cooking up a memorable occasion with a few simple and cheap Valentine's Day gift ideas. Dazzle your sweetie with a feast of sensory delights. The most important one, good conversation, is free.nnn Ingredients for Your Romantic Valentine's Day Date nnn 1. Two or three dozen candles nnnCreate a romantic and warm ambiance for your cheap Valentine's Day date. Buy candles from the drug store, d

Primary topic: Relationship Advice

Relationship Advice

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