How to get better at small talk?

The more you practise the better you become.  I have some dirt simple advice for anyone who is trying to be better at small talk:

• People may notice if you are trying to be cheesy. Be genuine, short and specific.  
• Do small talk with everyone- Fellow passengers, watchman, driver, random girl or boy, old people, kids, etc.
• Identify a common interest and talk about it.
• Let the conversation go normally. Don't try too hard.
• Be cheerful and offer a pleasing smile.
• Have a positive aura and people will more likely respond to you.
• Be Trustworthy. The other person is not knowing about your intentions but you are.

---

A (really) small talk:

This one is really small but made me happy instantly.

I was not in a mood to smile but when I saw an energetic & smart guy giving tickets for Local Train in Mumbai. I uttered " Nice Tattoo" with a smile. 

He waved and said " Thank you" with a broad smile. 

He made my day:)

(The tattoo of his neck was really suiting him hence I told so. I don't give false compliments, I would prefer staying Mum as it's not necessary to compliment)

---

If you have liked this, Pl check out some interesting stuffs at Life is Beautiful

Read More

How does it feels to be sentenced to death?

In true sense, I don't know anyone who got death sentence. But, one of my friend in college was devastated after his breakup. 

He was such a committed guy. May be his incapability to deal with that shock let me never fall in love. He was a great friend, seeing him dying a slow death everyday was a painful thing for all of us.

He become a drinking addict. I remember bringing him to his room from staircase or a nearby road. Calls like " xyz is heavily drunk and had fallen near our hangout point. Please come so that we can take him to hostel" was a routine affair for us.

His study deteriorated. He failed in more than 15 subjects. Never sat for any company and was behaving strangely. Our friendship was hit hard by his own failed relationship. He would be missing from Hostel. He became a wanderer, a loner and yes he behaved as if he had been given death sentence.

Irony is that no one was at fault but few misunderstandings killed a beautiful relationship that was destined to end in marriage.

We used to pull his leg like,  Dude you are a  "One man woman" . 

He- Yes, I'm. 

We- Giggle

He- Oh No! Hello it's "One woman man"

And we all bursted into laughter:)

Ah! What were those college days. He is all well now, recovering from the casualties. He has finally cleared B- Tech and is looking for a job. But, now talking to him makes me believe that he has moved on.

Read More

A short story

The girl is a doctor and guy is an engineer. He was unconscious after the accident and woke up in the hospital only to find that she was treating her.

It was an uncomfortable silence as 3 years ago he left her with the words   "I would never meet you again" but the world is really small.

Read More

For last 3 months I am writing everyday

After procrastinating for close to 5 years, I am finally a blogger.I am living my dream. I am not a good writer but I write with passion. I struggle. I learn. I fall. I make mistakes. All these are happening everyday. I see inspiration in every incident, every conversation and every person. 

This simple act has improved my overall happiness and satisfaction. I pursue writing as a hobby. I have wrote more than 400 answers on Quora during last 3 months and it has only been possible as I am not afraid to fail. I fail to make a connect with audience. I learn. I improve and then I make new mistakes. I am expanding my horizon. I am taking the road less traveled by me. I am thrilled at the experience.

Writing is a medicine for me. It is a passion. I don't mind when my answers sulk on Quora. I am proud on my answers with less than 10 upvotes even more than  those over 100 upvotes. Few days ago, one of my answers got 3ooo+ upvotes but trust me, I am happier when someone gives an encouraging comment on my unpopular answers lying in the coffin. 

Please follow what you want to do in life. You can see my list of 19 Things that makes me happy and you can prepare a bucket list of things that makes you happy. Please make sure that you do some of them everyday. 

---

You can read some real life stories at my blog Life is Beautiful. If you need any guidance, please get back to me.

Read More

Difference between Luck and Serendipity

You met a beautiful girl and fall in love with her and she proposes you.(Luck)

You met a beautiful girl, fall in love with her and got married. After 15 years of marriage, while watching her childhood photos, you got to know that she was your long forgotten childhood sweetheart. (Serendipity)

Serendipity= Luck + Destiny +Karma :)

Read More

Let us do something for poor children

How can I help poor children in my city? I can't afford helping them monetarily, so need other practical ideas. 

I would like to add the following things:

1. Donate old clothes & other household items . You can also carry forward this initiative and can collect clothes and other old items from your neighbors, office, school, etc and can donate among poor children.
2. Donate Food- Once in a while, make food packets and give it to poor children. It is like a drop in the ocean but it will really feed those 15-20 kids at that time. So, it's worth the effort.
3. Get poor kids into Government school- Convince their parents to send their kids to schools. They are almost free but still many don't go to school. A small effort in this direction will be highly appreciated.
4. Encourage your parents & others to help people who are earning less like Maids, Watchman, Washer-man, Driver, etc. May be a one time help of INR 5000-10000 Rupees on the treatment of a kid of an underprivileged person will go a long way.
5. You can arrange a Buffet for poor kids. If there is a function at your home or neighborhood then you can volunteer to donate the left out food to a poor children so that rather that getting wasted that can feed some poor hungry people.
6. Sell them dreams. Educate, Entertain, Smile and make them feel that they are a part of us. Give them hope. Play with them and teach them some good habits. They will teach you life lessons. Take it from me! Those kids are awesome.

Thanks for this thought provoking question. Worth claps and admiration !!

Read More

How My Father felt when I came to this world

I think that my birth was a bittersweet experience for my parents. During my birth, my Dad was posted in a remote place. At that fateful night, my Mom got sudden unbearable pain and she was rushed to a local Hospital, but the main doctor was not there and the other doctors recommended my Dad to take her to a better hospital. So, in all hurry, she was taken to a Private clinic which was 3 hours away. 

The clinic was of a cousin (sister) of Dad. When they reached the clinic, my aunt (also the main doctor) instructed all her staff to start preparing for the operation. Mom often laugh that Dad was given a solid scolding by her cousin. My Dad was really afraid when the Doctor told that the water has dried up in the womb ( don’t know what it means) and it is a risky case.

But, finally some good news came out next morning after the long operation and someone informed my Dad that I was born and he can meet after some time. So, in joy and excitement, he went to a nearby sweet shop and purchased lots of sweets. But, when he came back, he was informed that your child is really critical and is in incubator. 

My Maternal Uncle told me once that he had never seen my Dad so helpless. He dumped the sweets and only god knows what he was going through at that time. But, he is one of the strongest men I have seen and hence he must have shown great courage in such adversity. He was blessed with a baby who was critical and it was uncertain whether he would survive or not. I can only tremble thinking of anything like that.

But, the Doctor put her best efforts to save me. I last met the doctor who brought me in this world a few years ago and she revisited her memory and told how much scared she was while my birth. She told that she invited her seniors and consulted my case with them. I was born like a child of a chimpanzee. My skin was wrinkled as the water in the womb was dried up but fortunately or unfortunately I was saved.

The story of my own birth reminds me to do something great ( though I haven't done anything worthwhile till date :)) as I came after giving terrible pain to my parents. Getting blessed with a child is one of the best feelings in the world. I think that parents feel goosebumps while holding their child in their arm for the first time. OMG! What a feeling it must be :)

Read More

Right to Property for Girls

I am answering this question in context of India.  The daughters have got legal right over the property of their parents like their sons. So, according to the law of land girls must have their dutiful share. 

I have seen families in which brothers are fighting with their sister for property. It is a shameful thing for any family.

I would not accept anything from my parents which is more than what my sister gets. Thank you!

Read More

Do Indian Guys find dusky girls attractive?

I give more importance to the overall personality of an individual. I know it is difficult to know who has a beautiful heart. But, I find a person beautiful and attractive if they are having a cheerful and positive personality. A good sense of humor, intelligence and creativity are highly appreciated as I lack all three :)

The answer to your question is a big Yes.  Just to name a few. Dusky girls like Deepika Padukone, Kajol, etc have been my favourite actresses. I also find Dipika Pallikal, the squash star as extremely attractive and yes, she is also dusky.

Not only me, many find dusky girls attractive. It is the overall personality of a person which makes one attractive.  The skin color in isolation makes no sense for me and many other guys.

Read More

A Little Money in the pocket uplifted my mood

Originally written on 14/09/2015

Yesterday, I was really feeling sad for no reason. I went to a Mall with a Friend and went to the food court and ate Pizza. As, I was feeling lonely so watching so many people enjoying their meal with their loved ones at the food court made me feel good.

After that, I went to the play zone. I remembered something. As a kid, I wanted to play those games on playstation but neither we had malls nor the money in my pocket.

I didn't played anything. But, I was observing kids playing various games and I was seeing their Mom was so happy seeing them happy. I forgot that they were not my family. I was feeling happy seeing those kids. I forgot that my mood was not good. 

I just came out from there and saw a little kid dancing while he was walking. Really, kids of today are smarter and frank, I never danced even in from of my parents. I was loving this. 

I wanted to have vegetarian food  so went out and had dinner with my friend. The waiter seems to have had an off day. Tipped him generously and he didn't told anything but I felt that he was happy.

My friend is a software engineer and he was telling about his frustrations in a comic way. All of a sudden, I told him that I would write a series of stories about you. I don't know whether I can do justice to his story or not but, I convinced him that I write about real people on my blog and many working professionals will connect with him. So, yes, he was also super excited about this. I felt as if this is one of the best day, I was full of energy and passion. I forgot that I had a bad day :) 

In the afternoon, I wrote about how bad I was feeling But, 

A little money, a friend and a visit to a Mall uplifted my mood.  

"Uplifting my mood" is the best thing Money has brought me :)

Read More