Ah, small talk. The cringe-worthy part of conversations that usually ends with an awkward silence. Whether you’re at a networking event or just meeting a new group of friends, ditch the “So, what do you do?” or “Nice weather we’re having, don’t you think?” questions and opt for something more meaningful.

For the smartest conversation tips, we reached out to the Young Entrepreneur Council. This is what they suggest:

1. Relax and be present in the conversation.

Rather than try to plan what you will say next, relax and focus on what the other person is actually saying. Listen. Be present in the conversation and the other person will notice. They will feel appreciated, and the conversation will flow naturally.

Read the rest here: 

 http://www.success.com/article/at-a-loss-for-words-10-ways-to-master-the-art-of-small-talk?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Post