Post: #1

Can any of your guys recommend any good books on conversation in general - as opposed to just 'pick up lines', etc?

My opinion is that the guys with the best game are usually gifted in conversation and social skills in general (with men and women); guys who lack good social skills around one sex are rarely good with the other.

Most of the game advice I see usually doesn't work well on its own, but it's something meant to supplement good conversation and humor skills (ex. even if a guy has the best opener or pick up line in the world, if he can't hold a conversation after that he'll have a hard time sustaining a girl's attention consistently)

A lot of the conversation books I find (ex. books on small talk, etc) though are too vanilla and seem like they're oriented toward more conservative, older types of people - can you guys recommend any off the top of your head?

Post: #2

edit: delete

Post: #3

Watch the first few seasons of Californication. Hank Moody engages in very good witty conversation consistently in that show.

Post: #4

(01-27-2016 12:33 PM)slubu Wrote:  Watch the first few seasons of Californication. Hank Moody engages in very good witty conversation consistently in that show.

Been meaning to check out that show, thanks for the recommendation.

Post: #5

Day bang by roosh

Post: #6

How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie.

Post: #7

Reading is overrated, when it comes to improving your conversational skills.

If you want to improve your conversational skills, the following exercises are superior to reading:

- talking to people (especially people who are intimidating to talk to; e.g. hot girls)

- approaching girls (the hotter the better)

- watching movies/tv shows that show clever conversation

- listening to podcasts with intelligent speakers

- observing and listening to people speak when out in public

In my opinion, reading is too passive. It's not an aggressive way to practice.

Conversational skills are often not about theoretical framework and work choice. Conversational skills are rooted in comfort and confidence.. Comfort and confidence don't come from a book, comfort and confidence come from real world practice and experience.

Get out of your own head and get in to the physical world.

That will work much better and faster then just reading, in my opinion.

If you want to get better at speaking, speak!

That said, I know that everyone learns differently so do whatever work for you.

I think DOING is superior to reading about doing.

Post: #8

I agree with Gio. You have to try things and practice leading a conversation
as much as you can.

If you want some basic guide to unclog yourself then click the link in my signature and find relevant topic(s).

Post: #9

This is pretty useful:

Post: #10

(01-27-2016 01:25 PM)pitt Wrote:  How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie.

A good reviews on the subject : Summary and Commentary of Dale Carnegie's 'How to Win Friends and Influence People

Post: #11

(01-27-2016 01:25 PM)pitt Wrote:  How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie.

Read that one, it's a good book as far as the basics go, though it focuses not enough on things like wit, humor, etc - this the one thing I've noticed about nearly all guys who are really good with women or are perceived as 'alpha', they have a good sense of humor, banter, or wit.

Post: #12

(01-27-2016 01:52 PM)Giovonny Wrote:  Reading is overrated, when it comes to improving your conversational skills.

If you want to improve your conversational skills, the following exercises are superior to reading:

- talking to people (especially people who are intimidating to talk to; e.g. hot girls)

- approaching girls (the hotter the better)

- watching movies/tv shows that show clever conversation

- listening to podcasts with intelligent speakers

- observing and listening to people speak when out in public

In my opinion, reading is too passive. It's not an aggressive way to practice.

Conversational skills are often not about theoretical framework and work choice. Conversational skills are rooted in comfort and confidence.. Comfort and confidence don't come from a book, comfort and confidence come from real world practice and experience.

Get out of your own head and get in to the physical world.

That will work much better and faster then just reading, in my opinion.

If you want to get better at speaking, speak!

That said, I know that everyone learns differently so do whatever work for you.

I think DOING is superior to reading about doing.

- watching movies/tv shows that show clever conversation

- listening to podcasts with intelligent speakers

Do you or anyone else have any good examples/material of these?

Post: #13

I'm reading a book called "how to talk to anyone," not so much a game book but it focuses on building connections with people through small talk. Lots of tips for business and social networking.

Post: #14

Scott Adams's How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life, in addition to being an excellent book on success in general, also contains some detailed commentary on persuasion, humor, and how to be a good conversationalist.