Blog 3: The Nature of Conversation

I am a planner in almost all areas of my life, so I naturally thought that I would carry this over as a conversation circle facilitator. However, this hasn't been the case exactly. Sure, I come each week to Chat Café with a few questions in mind or a general topic, but I have learned to take a back seat and just let the conversation go wherever it may go. In fact, I have found it to be more comfortable and natural when I'm not walking into any session with a strict, or even loose, plan. For instance, last week we talked about popular reality TV shows in both the U.S. and China, but by the end of the hour, we were discussing different pizza toppings and types of bagels. Often times, when I find myself "facilitating" conversation, I am simply just throwing out a question to get conversation going when it's died out. Usually, the conversation gets going because I, or someone else, simply responds to someone else's story or point. My group expressed clearly that they wanted this natural atmosphere to relax each week, so I try to avoid too much planning in my sessions that makes the discussion seemed forced.

On another note, I am excited for my conversation circle this week, although I am slightly nervous. Contrary to what I just said above, I've planned a trip to the Museum of Natural History! I am excited because I love this museum and hope every one in my group will love it as much as I do. However, I am nervous on how we are going to have a "conversation," especially since we'll be walking around a lot. I don't want to lose this aspect of the week since everyone seems to enjoy it. Also, I hope it doesn't fall flat (i.e., my participants deciding this museum is not really "their thing"). But, as I've just said, I'm going to relax and just let it happen, however it may unfold. Maybe they like it, maybe they don't; maybe we'll have stimulating discussion as we peruse the depths of the museum, or maybe we'll occasionally say "that's neat" as we pass by exhibits. That's the nature of real conversation, after all!