Just Google It - How to Talk to People (Without Making It Weird) - Part 9
The problem today…
Was unavoidable.
People.
Riya had successfully survived:
- Productivity
- Confidence
- Overthinking
- Even doing nothing
But one thing remained consistently… difficult.
👉 Talking to people normally.
It started with a message.
From Rahul.
“Hey, team dinner tonight. You’re coming, right?”
Riya stared at the screen.
Right?
RIGHT??
Her brain activated.
“What do I reply?”
“What if I say something wrong?”
“What if I go and sit silently?”
“What if I talk too much?”
“What if I laugh at the wrong time?”
She took a deep breath.
There was only one solution.
She opened her phone.
Paused.
“…I should try without Google.”
Silence.
“…Okay, just one search.”
Search: “How to talk to people confidently in social situations”
She nodded.
“Final time. Just basics.”
Tip 1: Start with a Simple “Hi” 👋
Riya practiced.
“Hi.”
“Hello.”
“Hey.”
She paused.
“…What if they reply back?”
New anxiety unlocked.
Tip 2: Ask Questions ❓
“People like talking about themselves.”
Riya nodded.
“Yes. Safe.”
She wrote in her notebook:
✨ Conversation Starters ✨
- How are you?
- How’s work?
- What do you like?
- Why are we here?
She stared at the last one.
“…Too deep.”
Tip 3: Listen Actively 👂
“Don’t just talk. Listen.”
“Yes,” she said.
“I can listen.”
(Overthinking quietly in background.)
Tip 4: Smile and Relax 😊
She smiled.
“…This again.”
Evening: The Dinner
Riya stood outside the restaurant.
Deep breath in.
Deep breath out.
“You can do this,” she told herself.
“No overthinking.”
She walked in.
The team was already there.
Talking.
Laughing.
Normal.
Rahul spotted her.
“Hey! You made it!”
Riya smiled.
“Hi.”
Good start.
Very good start.
She sat down.
Silence.
“…Say something,” her brain whispered.
She turned to Rahul.
“How are you?”
“Good,” he said.
“And you?”
Riya froze.
“…I asked first,” she whispered internally.
“Yeah… same,” she said.
Conversation level: maintained.
Attempt 2
She turned to another colleague.
“How’s work?”
He laughed.
“We just left work.”
“…Right,” she nodded.
“Good point.”
Attempt 3
Someone mentioned food.
Riya jumped in.
“I like food.”
Silence.
“…We all do,” Rahul said slowly.
“…Yes,” she nodded confidently.
“Common interest.”
The Peak Moment
The waiter came.
Asked for orders.
Everyone was choosing quickly.
Confidently.
Riya panicked.
“What do I order?”
“What if I choose wrong?”
“What if they judge my food choice?”
Her hand moved.
Phone unlocked.
Paused.
“…No Google.”
Big moment.
She looked at the menu.
Randomly picked something.
“I’ll have this,” she said.
No one reacted.
No one judged.
No one cared.
She blinked.
“…That’s it?”
The Realization
As the night went on—
She spoke a little.
Listened more.
Said a few awkward things.
Heard a few laughs.
Nothing perfect.
Nothing terrible.
Just… normal.
She leaned back slightly.
“…This is not as scary as I thought.”
Rahul smiled.
“You’re quiet, but funny.”
Riya blinked.
“…I am?”
“Yeah,” he said.
She smiled.
Small. Real.
After Dinner
She walked home.
Phone in hand.
Unlocked it.
Paused.
“…Do I search?”
She thought.
Then typed—
Search:
“Is it okay to be a little awkward”
She read.
👉 “Yes. Being real is better than being perfect.”
Riya smiled.
“…Finally. Something that makes sense.”
She locked her phone.
And this time—
She didn’t open another tab.
Because maybe…
👉 Not every conversation needs a script.
👉 Not every moment needs preparation.
Some things…
You just live through.
Awkwardly.
Honestly.
And that’s okay.
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