Walker M., Calkins M. Speak Easy: Mary Lou's Rules for Engaging Conversation

Published in Lafayette, California by Cupola Press, 2010. - 116 p.Who am I to talk? Well, let’s just say that I am a woman of a certain age. I’ve lived a full life, teaching, raising children, and traveling. I keep up with the world and stay busy with family, work, and friends. But two years ago I found myself increasingly frustrated and bored during conversations with my friends. It seemed as if all we could talk about were doctor visits and grandchildren. When, at long last, the talk turned to politics or other controversial subjects, it often became a polarized opinion stating session. Yet here we were, intelligent, informed people; surely we could do better than this.
Perhaps you can relate, no matter your age. If you are a parent, all you and your friends seem to talk about is your children. If you are single, the conversation may get stuck on school or work. Young children often feel captured at the dining table, not being schooled in the art of conversation — and their parents haven’t learned to ask the kind of questions that elicit interest and answers beyond the monosyllabic.
What makes for a truly engaging conversation, appropriate to whatever group or subject is at hand? I, for one, wanted to find out and so embarked on a bit of research. In Part One of this book, I share some of the rules of the road (Mary Lou’s Rules) that I learned along the way and began teaching in my Colloquy Class to help others become graceful and witty conversationalists.
Progress in all arts requires practice. One doesn’t converse in a closet. Besides, the point is to be social in a new and fun way. And so in the second half of this book I describe various ways to get a group of people together for stimulating, witty, and informed conversation. Different sections are directed toward parents, library program directors, teachers, and people in business. By the end of the book — and with a bit of guided practice — no doubt you will find yourself taking a new role at dinner parties and family affairs, as the one who contributes a sparkling bon mot, offers a gracious invitation to a shy person, and receives the warm appreciation of all.