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Ask For The Topic!
If you find yourself totally lost whether from someone's quick directions or an involved conversation, one of the easiest ways to get back on track is to ask, ‘What are you talking about?’ or ‘What's the topic?’
For the moment, imagine this scene. You and two friends are enjoying a conversation about your respective vacation plans. Suddenly, your friends begin an animated discussion. You are immediately confused. After four sentences are exchanged, the only words you have picked up are, “Did you hear...?” and “How exciting!” As soon as they stop to catch their breath, you smile and ask in an amused voice,
“What are you talking about?”
“Oh, I'm sorry; Jean asked me if I'd heard that Ellen is going to have a baby.”
“Oh, how wonderful! Tell me more,” you reply.
Automatically their faces turn toward you, and now with the topic clear, you understand the words. In addition, you have preserved the pleasant atmosphere by keeping your voice clear of any reproach while asking for more information to fill in what you missed, rather than troubling them for an exact repetition.
By simply asking for the topic you can fill in the rest! Conversations are so much easier to have when you know what’s being talked about.
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