Sharing this checklist of conversation tips will help your teen win and keep friends this school year:

• Be positive. No one likes to talk to a negative or unpleasant person.

• Catch the person’s attention with statements like, “I really like your . . . ” or “Do you know what I learned (saw, did) today?”

• Ask open-ended questions—those that lead to more than a one-word answer, like yes or no. “What do you think of . . . .” or “How come . . . .?”

• Read books and magazines. Keep current on movies, sports, music, news and school events so you have something interesting to talk about.

• Use the person’s name several times during a conversation.

• Don’t come on too strong. Don’t start off telling very personal things or trying to tie up all the other person’s time.

• Stay calm. Acting nervous makes the other person feel uncomfortable.

• Keep eye contact. Looking around makes other people feel you’ve lost interest in them.

• Don’t gossip or put down other people.

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