How to talk

[Clive]

I’d better remember some of these rules… The Economist ponders advice on the art of conversation, from Cicero to the latest guides catering to those of us who are much happier talking to a computer screen than a human being. (I mean, would you believe that Alex and I have never actually met, and I’ve only ever had one face-to-face conversation with Danny?)

Sound words from one guru:

Ms Shepherd offers seven quick ways to tell if you are boring your listeners, which include "Never speak uninterrupted for more than four minutes at a time" and "If you are the only person who still has a plate full of food, stop talking." Her checklist of things best not said to the parent of a newborn baby should be memorised for future use. It comprises: "What’s wrong with his nose?" "Should he be that colour?" "Isn’t he awfully small?" "Shouldn’t you be breast-feeding?" "Did you want a boy?" "Is he a good baby?" "He looks like Churchill…."