how can you open a conversation with a very silent person?

Answer 1

speak slowly and get him or her to talk first.
have you tried sign language

Answer 2

I always find that quiet people are more likely to open up in pairs and small groups, rather than where there are crowds. Not to sound predatory, but isolation is a good tactic to bring shy people out of their shell.

Also, I think that many people are the silent type because they don't think what is on their minds will be understood or well received by others. Yet still waters do usually run deep, and the shy are often the imaginative type. So when they give you a glimpse of their imagination, seem interested and just a bit curious, even if you have to fake it a little. It will have a cumulative effect.

Caution: a living silent persona can leave the self starved for empathy. So if you show interest and reciprocity, the silent person may become easily attached. We all desire to be accepted and heard; however, some less than others. Just because someone doesn't wear this desire on their sleeves doesn't mean its not present.

Answer 3

I'm a quiet & shy person myself, though you might never know by reading my Q & A. So, I have a different perspective on it.
Quiet people are often wrongly accused of being arrogant or conceited or of lacking intelligence. Just the opposite is the case more often than not. They usually just need someone to make the 1st move.
If you want to "break the ice" with a shy or quiet person here are some "Do's & Dont's".
DO:
Introduce yourself, smile & offer a handshake. They'll usually respond in kind.
Ask a non-threatening question, such as, "What do you do for a living?" This should open up a conversation.
Avoid contentious subjects, like politics or religion, at least in the beginning.
Offer to buy them a drink, if you wish. They may decline, but will probably appreciate the gesture.
Through it all, watch their reaction. If the person is unresponsive or puts you off, move on & give it a rest.
DON'T:
Don't make an issue of their quietness or shyness. This will probably just make them retreat further.
Don't make them the butt of a joke.
Don't tease, ridicule or insult them in any way.
Don't approach them if you're drunk or on drugs. Some people won't care about this, but it generally gives a bad impression.
Don't try to pick a fight. You're likely to get one.
Don't write off a quiet person too quickly. He/she might be your next friend.
This is just a small list. Maybe someone else could suggest something.

Answer 4

Hi what a neat question..here are my top 10 ways to open a conversation with a very silent person...

1. Say...I love that perfume you are wearing..what is the name of it?

2. What time is it? I hope the quiet person has a watch and doesn't turn his or her wrist and still remains quiet.

3. I love your hair cut...where can I get one like that? even if you think someone put a bowl on their head...lol

4. Did you drop that ?.....( you dropped some change..but act as if they dropped it)

5. I need some help can you spare a few minutes...? make up something....help with homework..calling out vocabulary..

6. Oh you never told me about your childhood where are you from?

7. Have you lived here long?

8. What do you think about the election coming up next month?

9. Do you believe in miracles?

10. What makes some people quiet and others so talkative?

maybe one or two of these will help break the ice with the quiet person...best of luck...

Answer 5

I used to be one of those "silent types".

Whatever you do...DO NOT ask them, "why are you so quiet?"

That is an extremely personal answer and naturally a person who is quiet is also guarded. They are not going to open up to you that easily. I absolutely hated whenever I was asked that and it made me want to try and avoid any further conversation entirely. It would make me feel stupid because it's such a stupid question.

Honestly, what kind of answer would you give someone who said "why are you so talkative?"

Unless this person is antisocial, which by the way, is vastly different from someone who is shy or has social anxiety disorder..then there is a good chance that they will actually enjoy talking to you and appreciate your efforts (though they may have trouble expressing this).

With some, you might have to dig deep and eventually you'll come across something that they have deep-seated feelings about. Once you've broken that barrier, it should be smooth sailing...

...that is until you wish to talk about the really personal stuff. But struggle is the essence of humans coexisting peacefully.

Good luck and have fun!

Answer 6

If you see this person often just take your time. Silent people observe before they speak.
Just say "Hello" or "Good morning/afternoon/evening" and smile when you meet up with this person for a while and then go on about your day ( unless s/he shows that s/he has something to say). When s/he starts returning your smile and greeting then take the next step. Ask "How are you?" or " How's it going?"/ "You have a good weekend?" or something that doesn't necessarily call for a long answer that way s/he can keep it short if s/he wants to. You're slowly building up trust this way.
Soon you'll get to the point when you can just say something out of the blue to them-- for example if s/he sees you trip and fall. Look at the person with a mysterious grin and say...."You didn't see that."....You might get a chuckle. Or if you have/see/or hear something interesting..share it with the quiet one.
Just remember this. If you're uncomfortable the person you're addressing will feel it. So don't force a conversation.
If you're sincere in your desire for friendship the silent one will feel this also. So be sincere and natural. The silence will be broken when trust is built up. Take your time.



Silent observer by choice so as not to make acquaintances who turn out to be pains.

Answer 7

A shy person doesn't open up easily. It doesn't mean they don't want to. Before engaging such a person to conversation, it is important to put them at ease. Start with topics that make him feel comfortable. E.g. If you ask, "How was your day today?", a shy person may respond with "Fine". Take some time and reflect on what questions may be more INTERESTING to ask, something that depends on particular situations. E.g. If that person is new to town, you can ask something like, "How do you find our town'd transport system/weather/apartments/domestic help". If you ask a question that relates to the person's direct experiences, it's always likely that he/she will WANT to talk more.

You can ask questions based on a person's background and profession. If he is a professor of Botany, you don't ask him WHY he became a professor, that's a put-of, because the person in question didn't have any exciting things to do, so that's why he ended up being a professor. Always try to get the context of the person's background. If he's been through a divorce or family problem, he's less likely to be comfortable talking on ROMANCE. Always try to focus on those topics which mark the person's strength, because those are the topics he likes to talk. E.g. if he is good at Billiards, you can politely request him to give you a few learning tips (of course, you need to be sincere in your request, and not flirt). If he enjoys Thai food, you can explain your experiences when you tried making that Thai curry.

A good conversationalist is always able to get the other person, talking, because he understands the pulse. Develop these skills, they aren't too difficult.

Answer 8

Firstly, I would respect the fact that the person is being silent...not everyone is a blabbermouth! Some people only speak when they have something important to say...I'd rather be confined in a space with a silent person than one of those people who is uncomfortable in silence, and so babbles mindless chatter!

If we happen to find ourselves in the same space and I want conversation, I think I would just quietly make a complimentary comment about something they are wearing or maybe their hairstyle if it is something we admire. I may try a second time with a comment on what ever is going on at the time, even if it's just raining. If no response after that, I would respect the person's space and be quiet. If it's you that are uncomfortable at the outcome, you can always just pick up a magazine and keep to your self.

Answer 9

It's possible that they are shy if they don't talk really. Shy people feels fear of rejection or they might think you are thinking bad about them. Another thing, if it's true their shy well it could be caused by numerous of things. It's possible they were abused in their past, or threaten. If you want to have conversation with quiet ones, start off by simple questions until they feel comfortable just don't get irritate if they still don't respond (they might not talk at all then) it just takes some tries to open the person up. If you ask the person Yes or No questions it's not going anywhere. Ask what have they done that was funny to them (that should get them talking a little bit.)

Hope that works!

Answer 10

Well , i firstly come across as a very silent person , but I Am not .. People unfortunately have set up ideas about people and things , anyways May be you first need to keep an open mind on not labelling the person as "silent" or "talkitive" and then just going on naturally and seeing to it that THE PERSON WHOM YOU ARE COMMUNICATING WITH IS MADE COMFORTABLE ..it always works !

All the best and have a nice day !

Answer 11

I was told a good friend is some one you could go sit on their front porch sit there a bit. Then walk away and feel like you had the best conversation and not have said a word.
Also some one who doesn't talk hears all you say, doesn't talk back. They don't tell anyone else and best of all they still love just as much as before you said it.
When they say something, it becomes very important to you. Some how you have to find out what makes them talk. maybe being in a great mood helps and not yelling or nagging. My husband is a very quiet man and I have found out what he likes and making him laugh gets him to talk. If I get mad or certain people he knows comes around he clams up. It takes patients and a lot of love!!!!!