Leading the Conversation

Note **3 changes** compared to previous events: 1. New Venue - **Visible Coffee Roosters on Madison** (not Ada's)**.** 2. Start at **7pm** (not 6:30). 3. **$5 - $10 suggested donation** to help cover venue rental. Let's practice talking with shy people and anxious people. In this session you'll partner with someone roleplaying a shy person that wants to talk to you but keeps running out of things to say. By taking charge and leading the conversation, you'll make the experience much more fun for both of you and face some of your own insecurities about these potentially awkward situations. Then we'll switch to roleplaying and anxious person that can't stop talking. The more they talk, the more they worry and the more they worry the more they talk. The way to help here is to interrupt and contribute to the conversation. It's going to feel like getting onto an escalator or those crazy elevators that don't have doors and don't stop on the floors. Expect these exercises to bring up some insecurities. You might feel like you are making the shy partner uncomfortable or that you're being rude to the anxious partner. Rest assured that being able to handle these situations better will make things more comfortable for you and your conversation partners in the future.