In the world of conversations, there are those moments when dialogue seems to hit a brick wall. Even the most seasoned conversationalists find themselves in a linguistic rut, searching for that spark to reignite the discussion. It’s in these moments that “Encore!” steps onto the stage, much like a favorite bedtime story retold at a child’s request.
This technique serves a dual purpose: it not only makes your conversation partner feel like the star of the show but also injects new life into faltering conversations.
The Seafaring Challenge
Picture this scenario: Adam once worked aboard a ship with Italian officers and predominantly American passengers. Every week, a social ritual required the deck officers to attend the captain’s cocktail party.
After the captain’s charming but broken English address, the officers typically huddled together, conversing passionately in Italian. This left most passengers feeling like strangers in their own floating community.
As the cruise director, it was Adam’s duty to bridge the gap between passengers and officers. My not-so-subtle tactic involved grabbing an officer’s arm and essentially dragging them over to a group of expectant passengers, hoping to initiate a conversation.
Adam’s introductions rarely sparked much interest, often revolving around questions like, “If all you officers are here, who is driving the boat?” Adam dreaded these weekly gatherings.
One fateful night, as Adam slept in his cabin, he was abruptly awoken by the ship violently rocking from side to side. The engines were silent, a bad sign. He donned his robe and rushed to the deck.
Through the dense fog, he spotted another ship, not half a mile away. Several officers from our ship leaned overboard, grasping the starboard guardrail. Just in time, he saw a man with an eye bandage struggling up our violently rocking ladder.
The officers whisked him away to our ship’s hospital, and the engines roared back to life. We were on our way again. The next morning, he learned the full story. A laborer on the other ship, a freighter, had been drilling a hole in an engine cylinder.
During his work, a thin piece of metal shot into his right eye like a missile. The freighter had no doctor on board, so they broadcast an emergency signal.
International sea laws dictate that any ship hearing a distress signal must respond. Our ship came to the rescue, and the injured seaman was lowered into a lifeboat that brought him to our ship. Dr. Rossi, the ship’s doctor, successfully removed the needle from the worker’s eye, saving his eyesight. A heroic tale, indeed.
The Art of Encore!
Fast forward to the next captain’s cocktail party. Once again, Adam faced the challenge of breaking the ice between officers and passengers. Adam approached the officers’ circle to select one to introduce to the passengers.
This time, it was the ship’s doctor. Adam dragged him over to a group of smiling passengers and introduced him, adding, “Just last week, Dr. Rossi saved the eyesight of a seaman on another ship after a dramatic midnight rescue. Dr. Rossi, I’m sure these folks would love to hear about it.”
To my astonishment, it was as though Dr. Rossi had been gifted with the tongues of angels. His previously monosyllabic and broken English transformed into eloquence. He recounted the entire story for the growing group of passengers gathering around him. Inspired, Adam left them to pull another officer into a conversation.
This pattern continued—captain, first officer, and so on. Adam became the ringmaster of these conversations, like a circus juggler keeping multiple plates spinning on sticks. The officers relished telling their tales of heroism to new people on each cruise.
The only challenge was that each retelling became increasingly embellished. Adam had to adjust his timing to ensure they finished their narratives before transitioning to a new audience.
The Encore! Technique
“Encore!” is what audiences cheer when they want more from a performer—another song, another dance, another story. It’s also a technique you can use to request a repeat performance from someone in a group setting.
As you chat with friends, colleagues, or acquaintances, turn to one of them and say, “I bet everyone would love to hear about the time you caught that thirty-pound striped bass,” or “Tell everyone that story you shared earlier about rescuing the kitten from the tree.” While they may initially demur, insist gently.
Your request implies that their story was so captivating that you want your other friends to experience it too. After all, only crowd-pleasers are asked to do an Encore!
A word of caution: when employing this technique, ensure the story you request is one in which the storyteller shines. Nobody wants to revisit tales of failure or mishaps. Stick to positive stories where they emerge as the hero.
The true beauty of Encore! shines when you’re stuck in a long and tiresome conversation. You can discreetly slip away, leaving the long-winded storyteller with an engaged audience. Think of it as a diplomatic exit strategy that allows you to gracefully bow out of a conversation while still leaving a positive impression.
In conclusion, Encore! is a conversational gem that can breathe new life into flagging discussions, making them more engaging and dynamic.
So, the next time you’re in a group conversation, consider employing this technique to bring forth captivating stories from your fellow conversationalists. It not only enhances the conversation but also showcases your appreciation for their narrative skills.