h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Starting a conversation? - A68872260
Author: Vittorio Arnold - U14193569

There is no box called 'Collaborative Writing Workshop'. What do I do Now?

This is exactly the right place, so don't worry.

OK, Vittorio, here we go:

I think your start is too abrupt. Why not lead the reader to how you came about reflecting and writing about this topic? I think a few words would do.

When I first read it, I couldn't quite put my finger on what I am missing. I think, it's because it's very 'abrupt' on the whole.
Personally, I miss the transitions. But then this may be only me.

Let's wait for Dmitri and MVP.

I like this.

You make a good point. I used to teach Germans in Germany how to speak English. (I'm American.)

I said, 'Pretend you're in an English pub. Start a conversation.'

German: 'I think you should get rid of the Queen.'

Me; 'NO! STOP! You'll start a fight. Talk about the weather.'

German: 'Why in the world would you talk about the weather?' Etc.

We need mutual topics. In America, sports don't usually lead to fights, so people say, 'How about those Cubs?', or whatever. (Then I gawk, because I'm not a sports fan, and can't remember what sport they're talking about.)

A question: Did you mean the person 'offended' a player - by talking to him directly - or that he said something insulting about him in his absence?

Welcome to the AWW.

This is a good question.

My own strategy, for what it's worth, is to remember that every conversation has two parties - a talker and a listener. So, I start with a question and listen to the answer. The trouble is that some questions are very cheesy - like 'Do you often come here?'! And it can get embarrassing if you've forgotten what people have said to you previously, and ask them things you ought to know the answer to!

You might be able to build this piece up further, with some examples of embarrassingly bad conversation starters.

Yes, you have to remember that the setting for the conversation is important.

So:
German tourist walks into an English pub and says "I think you should get rid of the Queen."
English drinker puts down his pint. "What, and replace her with someone like Hitler?"

Italian tourist walks into an English pub and says "Do you think Italy will win the World Cup?"
All the English drinkers turn on him and shout "England! England!"

How true.

The same students - they were all in the German military - wanted to go to the US on holiday. I said, 'Please don't take those men's handbags with you.' (This was in the 80s.)

You see, they rode motorcycles. And wore leather motorcycle outfits. Those outfits, plus handbags, in a US biker bar...I feared mayhem, followed by a chorus of 'YMCA'.

They said, 'That is intolerant.' I agreed.

Handbags? In a biker bar?

My dad used to have one (probably still has). It looked similar to this

http://computer.testberichte.de/files/2009/04/313ctldx9l_ss400_-150x150.jpg

Unfortunately, my husband doesn't have one, so guess who's in charge of his wallet, keys etc when we go somewhere?

That's it, Bel.

Of course, American males just wear baggy clothes and use pockets. Or, these days, a 'manly' backpack...

We even have a tv advert these days which makes fun of the European shoulder bag...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRecos7TcA0

I don't remember shoulder bags for men being very widespread here.

They were a trend when trousers were too tight...

All this proves your point, Vittorio...when we figure out how to *start* a conversation, we...we....

...well, if we're Hootooers, we don't, er, stop.

True. Poor Vittorio hardly got a word in edgewise.

Seriously, though, do you think this is fine as it stands?

I think it needs more examples of conversation starters.

Things that won't cause offence eg. Complimenting the other party had bought an item of clothing/footwear. Personally, I'm not proud and will tell them which charity shop I bought it from, which usually leads to discussions about the variety of said shops we have locally (and which ones are the best to buy books in)

Good idea. More about conversations. With examples.

Sorry,

>>Complimenting the other party had bought an item of clothing/footwear.<<

That makes no sense whatsoever.

It should have read; Complimenting the other party on an item of clothing/footwear and asking if they would mind telling you where it came from.

Looking at what all other researchers have written, I actually cannot believe I've started a conversation on how to start a conversation. I'm flabbergasted. The idea came to me when browsing through h2g2. I noticed, almost at the end of every page an invitation to 'Start a conversation'- 'About what?' I thought. and my draft contribution came out. I agree with you Bel, it is abrupt, but I've only written down all what passed through my mind. Ciao

Oh, that would be perfect as an introductory line (what you just said how you got the idea).

Maybe find a few more examples, and hey presto. Story completed.

Dmitri. There were two football fans in a bar (pub?), one supporting Juventus and the other Inter (on SKY the team is called 'Internazionale Milan'). The Juventus guy offended a player of the Inter team - Materazzi)who was not present and got stabbed to death by the criminal Inter fan for no intelligible reason. It makes my stomach turn.

Bel, I haven't got the faintest idea on how to retrieve my text, add an introduction and more examples. Shoud I correct the document on Word and the re-submit it? And how presto is presto? I've got kids to feed and/or drive to their friends' home, load/unload the dishwasher and engage in all those time consuming chores aimed at to maintaining a house in a resemblance of order. I cut corners, but there's a limit. Are 25 hrs ok?