Start the conversation

"Philip ran, and heard the Ethiopian reading the prophet Isaiah. He said to her : Do you understand what you are reading ?" (Acts 8:30)

In front of a person, you have to start the conversation. For this, nothing like a question. The questions are great tools to understand the expectations of the interlocutor. The fact of being interested in the person has the advantage of putting it in confidence. Knowing how to ask the right questions is an art. But it can be learned too. In any case, it is advisable to opt for so-called "open" questions. We must avoid "closed" questions, that is to say questions that can only be answered by yes or no.

If you are shy or unaccustomed to engaging in a conversation, I invite you to take the following advice: During the discussion, repeat the last words of your interviewer's sentence in a questioning tone. Be careful, it's just to start the conversation, do not abuse it.

Here is a first example : you are distributing a pamphlet that presents the gospel and you want to start the conversation :

. You : Hello sir, can I offer you this brochure ?

. Him : What is it about ?

. You : It's good news !

. Him : Ah, good and which one ?

. You : That of Jesus !

. He : Oh you know, I do not care about religion.

The interlocutor tries to close the discussion. If you do not react, he will put an end to the discussion and leave, which would be a pity.

Jeremy Sourdril