Practicing conversational skills via phone

[Cochonette]

Who wants to practice conversational skills with me via phone? I have already chatted on the phone and/or in person with SatvikBeri, Criseyde, Hemlock, and Fred Tracy from these forums and thoroughly enjoyed every one of those conversations. I just want to practice my conversational skills as much as possible, and the people here are particularly fun/intelligent/growth-oriented, so it's a good place to talk to people. I am definitely working on this in face-to-face encounters, so it's not like I am just substituting this for that. And I am practicing phone convos in general... I have been chatting with a few people over phone who I met on OKC, and I am slowly getting better at it.

I like to talk to as many different people as possible, as a helpful thing in itself, but we could also decide to do fun conversational exercises. For me, conversational skills are so important for a lot of a reasons... personally, conversation is the most important way that I connect with people, so lacking in conversational skills bothers me a lot. Plus I just want to be a good communicator in general.

Also, on Wednesday I am starting a public speaking class, so we could practice that, too. I can always give a speech on self-confidence.

After summer, I may not have that much time to do it. Right now is my chance to work as much as possible on social skills. Anyone interested?

[Rezzy7]

Hey this is a cool idea, I was thinking of doing the same thing. Sounds funn.
I'll pm you then?

[SourLemons]

Me! I want to. I too want to practice talking on the phone - I tried it a few months ago with my friends after realizing that my speaking skills have been affected after being invalidated by someone i liked.

I like my friends, and what not, but they are the types who prefers to chat on aim, so it didn't work too well. They aren't very social in real life, so I have to respect that, though I don't like online chat since not only it doesn't increase social skills, it is hard to read the other person, which could cause a lot of miscommunication. Hit me up if you want to practice

[Cochonette]

Cool, peeps! I'll get in touch with y'all.

[Bliss Sage]

I'd like it too. At least to converse. More from a social point of view. If I need conversation skills, I don't know it (am dealing with bigger issues these days). But I like to talk to people one-on-one.

I need to use Skype, however, whether to a phone or to Skype on another computer, due to high phone costs. I think it is best when I call to a landline - haven't tried a cell phone yet.

[OptimistPrime]

Originally Posted by Cochonette

Who wants to practice conversational skills with me via phone?

What time of day do you usually like to talk to people on the phone?

[Clint Cora]

Good for you with public speaking - maybe join Toastmasters too. As for speaking on the phone, it's not a bad idea but as you may have already learned from public speaking, much of our communications is non-verbal and you won't be able to utilize that component by phone. Skype would be better as well as any local conversation groups.

[Cochonette]

I tried Toastmasters. They seemed like a mess, so I gave up. Exaggerating, but seriously, couldn't work it out to actually get to their meeting. Plus they only meet three times a month. Lame. And cost money, and have a waiting list. The class I'm taking I get full financial aid for.

What time of day do you usually like to talk to people on the phone?

Night when I come home seems to work out best, but my schedule is wacky, and sometimes other times work out well.

[taylor]

Originally Posted by Cochonette

I tried Toastmasters. They seemed like a mess, so I gave up. Exaggerating, but seriously, couldn't work it out to actually get to their meeting. Plus they only meet three times a month. Lame. And cost money, and have a waiting list. The class I'm taking I get full financial aid for.

I took a public speaking class as a degree requirement and it taught me almost nothing. I think I spoke 3 times with a month between times so it was impossible to gain any momentum. Here's hoping yours is better.

You certainly don't have to do Toastmasters, but those reasons you listed aren't real reasons. A waiting list and only 3 times a month? Yeah that sounds bad, but there are other clubs available if you look for them. Smaller clubs are a better value imo because you'll get more chances to practice and even take leadership roles if you want that.

Find a Club - Toastmasters International

I typed in a random zip from Washington dc and there are almost 200 "open to all" clubs within 10 miles of it.

[Clint Cora]

Originally Posted by taylor

I took a public speaking class as a degree requirement and it taught me almost nothing. I think I spoke 3 times with a month between times so it was impossible to gain any momentum. Here's hoping yours is better.

You certainly don't have to do Toastmasters, but those reasons you listed aren't real reasons. A waiting list and only 3 times a month? Yeah that sounds bad, but there are other clubs available if you look for them. Smaller clubs are a better value imo because you'll get more chances to practice and even take leadership roles if you want that.

Find a Club - Toastmasters International

I typed in a random zip from Washington dc and there are almost 200 "open to all" clubs within 10 miles of it.

I agree, if you live in an urban area, there should be quite a few Toastmasters clubs to choose from and they are all a bit different from each other. Check them all out as some will gel with you better than others. As for cost, I think the average cost works out to be only about $10 per month which is not much at all.

[Cochonette]

Originally Posted by taylor

I took a public speaking class as a degree requirement and it taught me almost nothing. I think I spoke 3 times with a month between times so it was impossible to gain any momentum. Here's hoping yours is better.

You certainly don't have to do Toastmasters, but those reasons you listed aren't real reasons. A waiting list and only 3 times a month? Yeah that sounds bad, but there are other clubs available if you look for them. Smaller clubs are a better value imo because you'll get more chances to practice and even take leadership roles if you want that.

Find a Club - Toastmasters International

I typed in a random zip from Washington dc and there are almost 200 "open to all" clubs within 10 miles of it.

Oh, wow. I searched on Google and just found one.

But yeah, my class is going to be way better than yours. We already had to get up and speak the first day of class, and the professor is obviously smart and knows what she's doing. She told us there will be lots of speaking since it's a public speaking class, including doing Q&A's. She said that unless you are speaking to yourself, she considers it public speaking. I like that. Hell, this is Washington, D.C., so it actually makes sense that the public speaking classes would be great... when I went to sign up, I couldn't even get into my choice section because two of the three sections were full. But I had circled all the professors on my sheet to tell myself I had looked them all up and read good reviews... I couldn't even find reviews for the vast majority of professors at this school. Also, my first graded speech is on the second day of class (Friday).

I might join Toastmasters in the Fall after this class ends now... if I have time. I'll be taking classes full-time and working, so who knows... and the infrequency (3 times a month) might suit me better then.

Anyway, I am really busy this week, so sorry if it takes a little time to get to the phone convos, but I want to! Tomorrow night I have no plans after 8PM, so could be a good time to do a few.

[taylor]

Originally Posted by Cochonette

Hell, this is Washington, D.C., so it actually makes sense that the public speaking classes would be great...

I envy you. The classes and clubs in DC probably have some amazing speakers.

[Cochonette]

More than one person has expressed interest in Skype for this. I don't have a microphone at this time, so I cannot. I'll check on prices and see if it's worth buying.

[Cochonette]

So I finally had the first convo from this thread. Talked to Rezzy for a long time tonight. Rezzy is a very good conversationalist! We discussed a lot of things, including improv games and the need to challenge myself more. We are planning to do some improv games in the future, and I really want my future convos to be more focused and maybe do improv games and speeches and so on. I might have time to call someone else tomorrow night. I left the weekend open from hanging out with in-person friends so I could do this first, 'cause I have a lot of people I am trying to hang out with all at once.

[Cochonette]

I just had my second convo from this thread. Loving this. You people are AWESOME. =D

[GeorgeMagister]

Toastmasters and public speaking courses both have similar failings when you are dealing with most one-on-one conversation. Unless you are making a pitch of some kind, it doesn't help you at all with interpersonal exchanges.

If one has trouble with communicating cohesive verbal ideas, in general, then either thing will help that individual with any type of communication. Other than that, it is severely conditional when you can invoke things you've learned.

I'm game for conversation. I'm actually living with a conversation deficit, these days.

[mikethedrummer44]

I remember having a Skype call with a few members of this forum a long time back. It was a blast.

So yeah, I'll talk if you're interesting.

[Rezzy7]

Yeah, it was cool talking Cochonette. Part way through I was wondering "what practice?" because our conversation flowed well. Well, practice can lead to consistent flow with a variety of people or situations, I guess. Call again whenever.

[Cochonette]

This thread is like the greatest thing I ever did.

Rezzy - cool, I will. Wait till I meet someone on here who I am totally awkward with... we'll see if I can handle it!

Mike, George, others: will get in touch with you soon!

[Cochonette]

Okay, if anyone wants to try Skype, we can try it on my iPod Touch.

[Cochonette]

I need new people.

[Cochonette]

OptimistPrime and I just had a really interesting conversation. It was a little different from the other conversations - I like it! Thanks, sir!

Anyone else who wants to chat - let me know!

[OptimistPrime]

Originally Posted by Cochonette

OptimistPrime and I just had a really interesting conversation.

Yeah, it was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed hearing your insights. Sorry that the phone connection got cut off at the end.

Originally Posted by Cochonette

It was a little different from the other conversations - I like it! Thanks, sir!

How so, if you don't mind me asking? And you're most welcome. Thank you, as well.

[Rezzy7]

I've got a few calls from you that don't seem to connect when I answer, then I get direct to voicemail on callback. But the last time I was working in the yard and it was late when could have called back. :/

[Cochonette]

Originally Posted by Rezzy7

I've got a few calls from you that don't seem to connect when I answer, then I get direct to voicemail on callback. But the last time I was working in the yard and it was late when could have called back. :/

Sorry. Bad reception, must be.

Anyone else wanna chat?

[Northern Cross]

Hey Cochonette,

Not sure if you're still looking for people to talk to, but I'd definitely be up for a skype or phone conversation. I live in Ireland so maybe skype is easier, but I have international rates so could probably call you.

I don't post a lot but I've always thought your threads were awesome!

Feel free to ask any questions via private message so that you can get a better idea of who I am.

Ron.