How To be interesting – an article that expresses everything I thing but couldn’t find the words the say, check it out here.

Writer Scott Simpson gives us the low down on how to be interesting or rather how not to be boring in this short piece originally written for The Magazine. In it he rightfully accuses those ‘Pixar. Kitty cats. Uniqlo. Bourbon. Steel-cut oats. Comic books. Obama. Fancy burgers’ type of people or being inconsiderately boring which they and implores us to broaden our horizons and form actually conversations with people.

Here’s a couple of my favourite paragraphs, you can read the whole piece here and also check out Seth Godin’s piece on How To: Listen while you’re at it.

“The people who were interesting told good stories. They were also inquisitive: willing to work to expand their social and intellectual range. Most important, interesting people were also the best listeners. They knew when to ask questions. This was the set of people whose shows I would subscribe to, whose writing I would seek out, and whose friendship I would crave. In other words, those people were the opposite of boring.”

“Stranger #1: Thing about my life.

Stranger #2: Thing about my life that is somewhat related to what you just said.

Stranger #1: Thing about my life that is somewhat related to what you just said.

Stranger#2: Thing about my life…

Next stop: Boringsville, Population: 2. There’s no better way to be seen as a blowhard than to constantly blow, hard. Instead, give a conversation some air. Really listen. Ask questions; the person you’re speaking with will respect your inquisitiveness and become more interested in the exchange.”