In an age with more competent texters than talkers, we thought a refresher course was in order, so we called in Local Etiquette Expert Melanie Perko.

Here are her tips for carrying on a good conversatoin:

• It's easiest if you know to whom you are speaking.  Do some preliminary homework (i.e who will be at the party, their title, why they are there)
• For children, help them get ready for the sports banquet or family party with background on people who might be there
• Go to web sites for information, read up on individuals or their company
• Listen while people speaking to you
• Look at the person to whom you are speaking
• Ask them about themselves with open ended questions
• 3 very good words to remember:  Tell Me About________  (fill in the blank): yourself, what you did over the holidays, how long you have been with the company, how you know the bride, etc. people like to talk about themselves
• Use humor
• Eliminate the word "I" as much as possible in your conversation
• Never chew gum around others
• If you yawn during conversation, cover your mouth!
• Include others in your conversation, and brief them so they may follow along: (Helen, Tammy was just telling me how she ........)
• Steer clear of the obvious taboos and don't gossip, discuss politics, off colored jokes, racism, religion
• Have great posture and understand body language (i.e. no crossing arms while talking to others)
• Act confident (even if you are not)
• Never interrupt
• Enunciate and speak slowly
• Know how to end the conversation "It's been so fun speaking with you Tammy, but I must excuse myself and let you go."