I like to think I'm good at conversation, but too many times, I just stumble along, and it can be embarrassing.

So, I did a quick net search and happen to find this site that looks like a fairly good source of advice: www wikihow com/Have-a-Great-Conversation

There are some examples found at the site for the following guidelines that seem useful:

** Find out a few things about the person you'll be talking to (if you can) before you actually start a conversation.
** Ask questions so that the other person can talk about himself or herself
** Inject invitation and inspiration.
** Comment on a general interest topic.
** Listen actively.
** Forget yourself.
** Voice disagreement with respect.
** Accept occasional silences.
** Occasionally, ask the question that is looming over the conversation.
** Tell stories, preferably funny ones.
** In a pinch, comment on the awkwardness of it all.
** Know when the conversation has ended.

If you get a chance to visit the site and see the examples, I'd like to know what you think.

Is there anything they are overlooking?