A shy friend asks how to handle small talk at a party. What would you tell them?

A natural way to answer

My advice would be to focus on listening rather than performing. Ask open questions and really show an interest in the answers. People warm to you when you do that, and it takes the pressure off you.

Key phrases to use

• draw a blank — be unable to think of anything to say or remember“I asked his name and drew a blank.”
• show an interest — act in a way that makes clear you care about someone or something“He showed an interest in my work and asked questions.”