10 Tips for Social Success

1. Share the stage.  Talking about your interests is fun, but remember that social encounters can be short and others enjoy talking about their interests too.
2. Don't flaunt knowledge.  You may think it makes you look smart and informed, but others may find you arrogant.  "talking at" people is a kiss of death in making a good impression.
3. Keep it short.  Telling long stories about people and topics others may not know or care about will bore and tire them. It's better to get to the point.
4. Go light on humor.  Telling joles helps people relax and connect.  But you can alienate others by performing for too long and forcing them to be your audience.
5. Observe body language.  Smiling, eye contact and leaning forward suggest others are enjoying listening to you.  Fidgeting, leaning back and looking away convey boredom.  People may feign interest to be polite, so its always good to be brief or let them pursue or change the topic.
6. Step off the soapbox.  You can discuss almost any topic with people if you are open to their views, but trying to convert them to your way of thinking or convince them that they're wrong and you're right doesn't play well.  
7. Don't flatter yourself.  When tempted to name-drop, repeat compliments paid to you or brag about achievements, remember that while others may be impressed, they may also find you vain and sense insecurity behind your need to boast.
8. Focus outward.  It's fun to note things we have in common with others: "Oh, I've been to Italy, too!"  But if we always bring the subject back to ourselves, we seem disengaged and self-involved.  It's better to show interest: " Did you enjoy your stay?"
9. Pay attention.  Do you listen when others speak or are you just waiting to break in?  Rapid nodding and saying "Uh huh, uh huh" suggests you're hungry to talk and not listening at all.
10. Curb complaints.  Your personal problems are much more interesting to you and your close friends than to other people.  New acquaintances do not want to hear them.