单选题 Tips for socializing with people Getting familiar with strangers seems to be a lost art. Perhaps it's the fear of meeting someone new, or irritating someone with a cool comment, or running into the post-9/11 "emotional wall" attitudes. However, while we are all individuals and not exactly the same, most people are genuinely nice and don't mind conversing with a fellow human for a few moments. The scientific community keeps telling us that we're social creatures, an extremely believable notion. This is assuming, of course, that you are in a conversational mood to begin with. If you're not feeling particularly friendly, just let it go. Better not to be rude to someone unintentionally. Then there may be days when you do feel like being sociable, but don't seem to have anything worthwhile to say. It's not like you're standing there with a close friend with whom you can share relatively intimate details. Certainly, no stranger expects you to suddenly present the details of your latest vacation or what brand of anti-virus software you got on your new computer. A vast majority of strangers might comment on safe subjects like the weather ("Kinda chilly today.") or sports ("How about those Red Sox?") or entertainment ("Did you see the new Indiana Jones movie?"). Sometimes you'll hear something slightly more personal, like praise ("Nice tie." or "I like your shoes."). Then there are the super-generic greetings ("Hello." or "How are you?"). These are OK, but what if you want to say something without sounding generic, over-sentimental, or clichéd (陈词滥调的)? Consider the following concepts. Who do I approach? "Don't judge a book by its cover." This is good advice. The large, heavily bearded man with the tattoo (文身) may be into painting, while the small young woman in the sundress might enjoy a beer and a hockey game. However, since you can't make such assumptions, you should try to read a person's behaviour and dress before speaking. Sometimes it's obvious what topics to stay away from or move towards. If you see someone wearing a sports cap at a game, ask how he thinks his team is doing, or ask her opinion of the head coach or owner. Lots of sports fans like to make fun of each other about their home teams, but it's safer not to insult, even if you're just kidding. If you see a well-dressed person, pick out a piece of the outfit that gets your attention and ask about it. Where did she get it? How long has he had it? If you like it, give a compliment. If you don't, find something you DO like and compliment that. If you see someone who is obviously upset or frustrated, you can either stay out of it, or if you're feeling generous, politely ask what's wrong. Some people will feel better if you sympathize with their difficult situation, but even if you can't help beyond that, most people will appreciate the effort. If you see someone wearing an article of clothing that advertises a place you have visited, ask when the person was there, or what he or she thought of a specific detail about the area. How do I get someone's attention? This is most likely the most important aspect of what may keep you from being more social, since you may worry about how to begin a conversation. Just be polite and gently make eye contact if possible. Don't stare—it's unpleasant. Lots of people begin a sentence to a stranger with "Excuse me". Another way to politely begin a conversation is with a qualifier (修饰语); let the person know that you are coming at it from their point of view: "Please don't take this the wrong way, but that's a very nice skirt." "I know this is none of my business, but why is your arm in a sling (吊腕带)?" "Excuse me, are you OK? Is there anything I can do?" Even if you can't think of anything to say, a nod and a slight smile is better than nothing. What do I say? Try to comment or ask a question about something meaningful. Naturally, you should stay away from well-known dangerous subjects like death, politics, and religion, but that doesn't mean you can't find a topic that is both safe and interesting. Many situations allow you to give a compliment, make a comment, or ask a question about something that you already have in common. (Also remember that you could be talking to a group, not just a single person.) Details are almost always better than being generic. Perhaps the stranger is someone in your office building. What does he think of the recent wallpaper change? Was she affected by the commuter train schedule? Was the garage full today? How about that new restaurant down the street? Maybe you're a party guest. How does she know the host? What is he drinking? Have they met any other guests? Did they have a tough time getting here? Compliment the food, drinks, atmosphere, decorations etc. You might be at a sporting event. Who does he think will win? Who is her favourite player? What does he think of the refereeing or coaching? Are they fans? How long has he been following the team? You're both standing in line for an amusement park attraction. Has she been on this particular ride before? When was the last time he was here? How old are their kids? Why does she think the line is moving so slowly? Where is the best place to socialize? A good socialization atmosphere is at a party or other gathering. Naturally, you should feel comfortable within your surroundings for a favourable socializing experience, so if you're an introvert, don't jump into a mosh pit (狂舞区) just to meet people. On the other hand, if you tend to be loud or enjoy being the centre of attention, don't sign up for a quilting class. Just think of one or two of your favourite socially acceptable activities and find others who like the same. It's that simple. During your daily travels, any place where you must wait with others is a great socialization opportunity. A bus stop, train station, grocery store, elevator lobby, post office, or any other reception area of a public facility falls in this category. These places typically allow many minutes for you to plant the seed that will begin your witty interesting dialogue小题:Which of the following is cited as a detail for conversation with a party guest