How To GET ALONG WITH ANYONE

How To GET ALONG WITH ANYONE

How to master conversations with tricky personality types

By Rosemary Counter

While politely making small talk at a baby shower, my day was ruined in one fell swoop. "Ooh, are you expecting?!" asked a family friend, eyeballing my body up and down. I sheepishly shook my head, instantly regretting both my party dress and my ample plate of mini-sandwiches. Then, just when I thought this conversation couldn't get worse, it did: "Well," she asked earnestly, "why not?"

Reasons and retorts flooded my mind-deep rooted doubts about my maternal capabilities, fear of climate change, "just fat, thanks" or perhaps a well chosen expletive. Instead, I murmured something about being busy at work and excused myself to mope for the rest of the afternoon.