{"id":106206,"date":"2019-08-27T12:36:45","date_gmt":"2019-08-27T17:36:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artofmanliness.com\/?p=106206"},"modified":"2026-03-13T08:18:29","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T13:18:29","slug":"make-it-easier-for-people-to-get-to-know-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/relationships\/social-skills\/make-it-easier-for-people-to-get-to-know-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Make It Easier for People to Get to Know You"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Young<\/a><\/p>\n

In the two-way dance of social interactions, there\u2019s plenty you can do to act smoothly yourself<\/a> \u2014 from smiling and giving good eye contact, to asking good questions and demonstrating genuine interest.<\/p>\n

But there are also ways to make things as easy as possible for the other person to execute their end of the exchange. Instead of making them feel awkward and really sweat to get to know you, you facilitate their social prowess. This not only enhances their \u201cperformance,\u201d but makes the mutual interaction more enjoyable and successful for the both of you.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to give a new acquaintance a helping hand:<\/p>\n

Wear a Conversation Piece<\/h3>\n

One of things people struggle with most, is simply initiating conversation in the first place<\/a>. They don\u2019t know what to say to break the ice.<\/p>\n

You can make it easier for folks to approach you<\/a> by wearing something that easily elicits a compliment or question. Not something cheesy or kitschy \u2013 while people may notice an outright novelty item and ask you about it, they\u2019ll have already formed an impression of you as a bit of a clown. Rather, display something like a watch, tie, or lapel pin that\u2019s subtly different or interesting, or a t-shirt emblazoned with a band, team, or place someone may also have an affinity for or want to know more about (\u201cPray tell, what is<\/em> \u2018The Art of Manliness\u2019?\u201d). From experience, I can also say that having a mustache<\/a> is a can\u2019t-miss conversation starter.<\/p>\n

Make Your Name Easy to Remember<\/h3>\n

Exchanging names is typically Act I in meeting someone new. Yet we all know from experience how easy it is to forget someone\u2019s name literally 10 seconds after they say it. Once this happens to someone, the realization will nag at the back of their mind, distracting them from the conversation. They will also be more hesitant to say your name again and will feel less confident about interacting the next time they run into you.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s so easy to forget a name because the stress of small talk blocks it from being absorbed. The following tips work against this phenomenon, and can help your new acquaintance more readily remember your name:<\/p>\n

Say it clearly.<\/strong> This seems like common sense, but when you tell others your name, do they often respond with \u201cHuh?\u201d or \u201cWhat\u2019s that?\u201d If so, you need to articulate better (watch the mumbling), and maybe slow down some. If you\u2019re in a noisy place, make sure you say your name with sufficient volume.<\/p>\n

If your name is foreign or unusual, you\u2019ll want to say it even more slowly and deliberately. Communication expert Carol Fleming recommends<\/a> prefacing your offering of it with \u201cMy name is quite difficult for most people.\u201d Since \u201cyou\u2019ve warned them about your name, they\u2019ll put extra effort into listening to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

If your name rhymes with something, pairing it with that can help too. \u201cMy name is Gower, which rhymes with tower.\u201d<\/p>\n

Say \u201cMy name is . . .\u201d rather than \u201cI\u2019m . . .\u201d. <\/strong>Fleming recommends the former phrasing because it \u201cgives the additional information that a name is coming, so the other person can be ready to receive it. The latter could go in any direction: I\u2019m leaving now, I\u2019m glad to meet you, I\u2019m excited about the food, and so on.\u201d<\/p>\n

Add something about yourself.<\/strong> Part of the reason names are hard for people to remember is that they don\u2019t yet have context to situate them in; there\u2019s no mental scaffolding on which to hang the identifier. Therefore, Fleming advises, whenever someone asks you what your name is, also offer something about yourself. For example:<\/p>\n