Conversation Success Blog » conversation mistakes

Sewing Machines and Conversation Skills

Austin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:30:27 +0000

Recently, I made a crucial conversation mistake that ruined my first impression.

My friend and I were picking up some items from a nice neighborhood in a local town.

As I was loading the trailor, the neighbor lady walked out of the house carrying a sewing machine. I could tell her attitude was like dark thunderstorm clouds.

If you had been there, you would have heard:

Me: “Good afternoon.” (cheerfully)

Her: “Hi” (gruffly)

Me: “My mom has a sewing machine like that.” (cheerfully)

Her: (No answer and I could feel the hailstorms plummeting me from her cold shoulder).

Did you catch my mistake?

On a scale of 1 to 10, her attitude/mood was about a 2. I greeted her with an attitude/mood level of 8.

It made her even more upset.

Those of you who have invested in the Conversation Success System know the importance of matching other people’s moods.

When they are cheerful, greet them cheerfully. When they are feeling down, don’t be too cheerful. Match their mood and then slowly become more cheerful. You will help get them out of their bad mood.

By mismatching her mood, it irritated her further.

Did I lose any sleep over it? Nope!

But I did learn my lesson.

Check out the Conversation Success System

Horror at the Gas Station and Conversation Skills

Austin — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 02:11:56 +0000

A few weeks ago I was standing in line at the gas station with a hot drink.

In the door walks a bald headed man who seemed to be a few fries short of a Happy Meal. He cut in line and wanted to be taken care of first.

The pretty clerk objected. He then commits a crime. A crime that may not get prosecuted, but will impact one person for the rest of their life.

He loudly said to the clerk, “You have a fat ***. If you were not so fat, you would be able to help people faster.“

Her face dropped as she immediately received emotional scar that will stay with her.

You and I have probably not done something that outrageous.

However, do you make fun of people? Do you say mean words to your spouse, kids, or coworkers? Do you put others down?

Our words can instantly deflate a person and suck the emotional energy out of them. We’ve been the receiver and the giver.

Psychologists say it takes 5 positive compliments to make up for one negative compliment.

Consider most people rarely hear a positive statement, it could take awhile before they recover.

Extremely hurtful words that were slung around at the gas station. It will take time and an apology to heal.

Here’s the lesson. Don’t put people down. Apologize when you do. Look for ways to pick people up.

Back to the gas station…

Customers came to the ladies defense and the police were also called. Not sure if the guy was arrested, but his words will sting forever to this one girl.

Learn more by getting How to Charm a Woman

TV Comedian and Conversation Skills

Austin — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:09:51 +0000

Last night I grabbed some chips and cheese sauce and relaxed in front of the TV for a few moments. By the way do you know what TV stands for?

Time Vacuum. It sucks the time out of your life.

I flip it on and there is a band playing on a particular late night show.

Music, chips, and cheese sauce. What a way to end a day.

After the band finished, the late night comedian walked over.

We’ll call him Mr. Y, just in case he is on this email list

Mr. Y shook everyone in the bands hand. Nice gesture, but he made a critical mistake.

A fatal error that 55% or more of people make.

He shook there hand but did not look at them. In other words he went through the motions while ignoring the person.

His focus was on what was next.

Mr. Y is famous so he can get away with this. You and I can’t.

Make eye contact, give a firm handshake, and hold eye contact for just a second. That’s what we teach in the Conversation Success System.

Because it works.

Don’t blow off people like this millionaire. Give attention and your social status will grow.

Austin Barnes

PS. Do you want more friends? Do you want to be more successful in Business? When I learned certain secrets I was able to make a lot more friends. Find out more here: