ABSTRACT
On a scale of 1–10, where 1 is difficult and 10 is easy, how do you feel about noticing and commenting, that is, observing your surroundings or other people and making comments about them in the following types of situation:
a hotel, cafe, restaurant or pub?
a stately home, park or garden open to the public?
a religious building, museum or art gallery?
the high street in your local town?
a friend's house or garden?
a hospital?
a university or college open day?
a barbecue party or a fancy-dress party?
This chapter looks at how we can make use of our surroundings and the people we notice as ‘talking points’ when a conversation is flagging or if it fails to get going.