The Party Where I Bombed So Hard, I Hid in a Closet
“I stood frozen at a networking event, clutching a sad cheese plate, when someone asked, ‘What do you do?’ I panicked, mumbled ‘I’m in marketing,’ and fled to a supply closet. Two years later, I used a 3-word phrase that turned strangers into friends — and now I’ll teach you how to weaponize it.”
Why Most Conversation Hacks Fail
- “Where are you from?”: Triggers scripted answers (“Ohio”), not connection.
- Over-complimenting: “Love your shoes!” feels transactional, not genuine.
- The “Interview Mode” Trap: Rapid-fire questions make people feel interrogated, not seen.
Science Says: People decide if they like you in 7 seconds. Your goal? Trigger oxytocin (trust hormone) and dopamine (reward chemical) — fast.
The 3-Word Phrase: “Tell Me More”
Why It Works:
- Validation: Signals “I care about your story.”
- Reciprocity: Makes them feel obligated to ask you questions later.
- Curiosity: Leaves a “mystery gap” their brain obsesses over.
Real-Life Scripts (Steal These):
- Them: “I’m a teacher.”
- You: “Tell me more.” → “I teach 4th graders. They’re chaotic, but they’ve taught me patience.”
- You: “Chaotic how?” → Boom. You’re in.
