In a world filled with niche professions and specialized hobbies, understanding the language of the crowd you’re engaging with can make all the difference in your perception. It’s not about mastering their entire lexicon but knowing key phrases and questions that make you sound like an insider. This phenomenon, often referred to as “Jobbledygook,” is the art of speaking the language of a profession without actually being a part of it. Every profession has insider lingo, from database managers to artists, and knowing just a few words can elevate your conversation from awkward to engaging.
The Power of the Opening Question
The opening question is pivotal when it comes to engaging with people in professional or hobbyist circles. Think of it as your first impression in a job interview or on a first date. It sets the tone for how the conversation will unfold, and it can be the difference between a meaningful interaction and an awkward exchange. How you approach the first few words you speak can quickly reveal whether you’re familiar with the subject at hand or an outsider fumbling your way through the conversation.
Let’s break this down: imagine you walk into a room filled with seasoned tennis players. Your opening question is, “Do you play doubles or singles?” Immediately, you’ve shown that you understand the fundamentals of tennis and are familiar with its terms. This small gesture immediately positions you as someone who is at least somewhat involved in the sport, even if you aren’t a professional.
Now, apply this same concept to other professions or hobbies. If you’re introduced to a writer and your first words are, “When are you going to write the great American novel?” you’re revealing yourself to be clueless. It’s a clichéd question that only someone unfamiliar with the writing world would ask. It suggests that you think all writers are aiming to write a specific type of book, which is far from the case.
On the other hand, if your opening question is, “Do you write fiction or nonfiction?” you’ve demonstrated an understanding of the broad categories within writing. This simple inquiry indicates that you’re aware of the diversity in the literary world. This may seem like a basic question, but in the context of a writer’s world, it shows respect for their craft and opens up the conversation to more in-depth topics. You’ve contributed intelligently to the discussion of whether they prefer fiction or nonfiction.
The same concept can be applied in various fields. When meeting an astronaut, asking, “What missions have you been on?” signals that you know astronauts are concerned with missions, not mundane logistics like “How do you go to the bathroom in space?” Similarly, if you’re talking to a dentist, asking, “Are you in general practice, or do you specialize?” is far more insightful than asking them about the latest dental jokes or cleaning prices.
By starting the conversation with the right question, you’ll set yourself up for a far more engaging, informative, and enjoyable exchange. This will position you as interested in and respectful of the other person’s field without being overbearing or pretending to know more than you do.
Don’t Overdo It: The Risk of Bluffer’s Syndrome
It’s one thing to ask the right opening question, but it’s an entirely different skill to maintain the balance between being informed and appearing like a poser. After you’ve asked the right questions, there’s always a risk of taking things too far. This is where the concept of “Bluffer’s Syndrome” comes in. It happens when you pretend to know more than you do. You might start mimicking jargon or throwing around terms you don’t fully understand to maintain the illusion that you’re well-versed in a subject. This can create tension in the conversation as the other person realizes you’re not as knowledgeable as you’re pretending to be.
Let’s say you’re talking to a database management expert and ask them about the types of data storage they use. They dive into a technical explanation of RAID levels, data redundancy, etc. At this point, if you don’t fully understand the jargon, it’s tempting to try to keep up with the conversation. Maybe you throw out terms like “data warehousing” or “SQL queries,” hoping to sound knowledgeable. But you’ll likely look foolish if you don’t understand these concepts.
The key is to know when to back off and ask the right follow-up questions that keep the conversation grounded in curiosity rather than pretense. After your initial question about RAID levels, it’s better to pivot if the conversation takes a deep dive into technical territory. For instance, asking, “What’s the most challenging part of working with databases for you?” is a much safer route. It steers the conversation toward their personal experiences, allowing them to share what they care about without requiring you to fake understanding.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t engage in a technical conversation or try to understand more about the field. It simply means that authenticity is crucial. The goal is to keep the conversation genuine by being eager to learn rather than pretending you know everything. People appreciate honesty, and it makes them feel more comfortable and open, rather than feeling like they’re talking to someone who is just trying to impress.
Using Jobbledygook to Your Advantage
Jobbledygook, the language of technical jargon and insider terminology, often gets a bad rap for being inaccessible or unintelligible to outsiders. However, when used wisely, it can be a powerful tool for connecting with professionals in any field. The goal isn’t to master every term or become an expert overnight but rather to pick up enough of the language to engage meaningfully in conversations. You don’t need to speak fluently, “Jobbledygook,” you just need to understand enough to ask the right questions.
If you’ve been invited to an event where you’ll be surrounded by artists, for example, and you’re unsure how to navigate the conversation, you can start by learning some key phrases or questions common in the art world. “What medium do you work in?” is a great starting point because it immediately shows you’re familiar with the lingo of the art world. The term “medium” refers to the materials artists use to create their work, such as oil paint, charcoal, or digital tools.
By asking about their “medium,” you’re signaling that you respect the craft and understand that art is often a personal journey involving specific tools and techniques. Avoid asking them to describe their work or ask about the “meaning” of their art—most artists consider their work a visual medium that cannot be fully encapsulated in words. Asking, “Where can I see your work?” is another question that opens up the conversation in a way that respects their autonomy. If a gallery doesn’t represent the artist, they may invite you to see their work in their studio. This small shift in phrasing can make a big difference in how the artist perceives you.
In any profession or hobby, understanding the basic “insider” terminology and questions can immediately elevate your standing in a conversation. You don’t have to become an expert in every field, but asking the right question can make you seem informed and respectful. This approach works with artists and in any environment, whether it’s a tech conference, a business meeting, or a sports gathering.
The Next Step: Baring Their Hot Button
Once you’ve asked the opening question and established a conversational rapport, it’s time to go deeper. This is where the “Baring Their Hot Button” technique comes into play. After your initial question, the next step is to find the topic that excites the other person—the thing they’re most passionate about. You’ll want to focus on this topic, their “hot button,” to keep the conversation flowing naturally and meaningfully.
For example, if you’re speaking to a scientist and they mention a recent discovery, don’t just let the conversation stall at that point. Instead, follow up with a thoughtful question like, “What do you think the broader implications of this discovery might be?” This question shows you’re not just passively listening—you’re actively engaged in their work and curious about the potential impact of what they’re doing. You’re tapping into their passion and making the conversation more dynamic.
This concept also works with artists, entrepreneurs, or anyone in a profession where passion drives their work. For instance, if a graphic designer talks about a recent project, you could ask, “What inspired the design?” This question allows them to share the process and the underlying motivation behind their work. It taps into the core of what they do and gives them the space to express their enthusiasm.
The key to mastering this technique is to listen closely for the moments when the other person becomes animated or excited. When someone is passionate about something, it’s much easier to ask insightful follow-up questions that keep the conversation moving. This makes the interaction more engaging and fosters a deeper connection between you and the other person.
Learning the Language of Jobbledygook
Big winners speak Jobbledygook as a second language. What is Jobbledygook? It’s the language of other professions. Why speak it? It makes you sound like an insider. How do you learn it? You’ll find no Jobbledygook cassettes in the language section of your bookstore, but the lingo is easy to pick up. Simply ask a friend who speaks the lingo of the crowd you’ll be with to teach you a few opening questions. The words are few, and the rewards are manifold.
Technique #39 – Learn a Little Jobbledygook
Learning Jobbledygook is about acquiring a basic understanding of the language and culture of the field you’re entering. It doesn’t require you to become an expert or master every technical term; it’s about getting comfortable with the essentials. By learning key phrases, insider questions, and professional lingo, you can quickly gain the respect of those you interact with.
The best way to learn Jobbledygook is through research and observation. If you’re attending an event or meeting people from a specific industry, take a little time beforehand to familiarize yourself with the key terms and questions they use. If you have a friend already familiar with the field, ask them for some insider tips. It’s like learning a new language: you don’t need to be fluent, but knowing key phrases can make you sound like an insider.
Learning just enough Jobbledygook can open doors to more meaningful conversations and help you forge connections that might have otherwise been out of reach. By demonstrating that you’re familiar with the basics, you’ll earn the respect of others in the field. Over time, this knowledge will grow, and you’ll find yourself navigating different professional or hobbyist circles with confidence and ease.
Conclusion
Knowing how to engage in their “Jobbledygook” can make all the difference in a world where people often define themselves by their profession or passion. You can confidently enter any conversation by mastering a few key questions and phrases, sounding knowledgeable and engaged. The best part? You don’t need to become an expert in their field to make a lasting impression. Simply asking the right questions and showing genuine curiosity can open doors to deeper connections and more meaningful conversations. So next time you’re in a room full of professionals or hobbyists, remember: a well-timed question is all it takes to sound like an insider.
This article is part of the How to Talk to Anyone Series based on Leil Lowndes’ book.