If you want to learn how to be a good conversationalist, a really useful place to start is by watching television!

Not just any television mind you - you can learn a lot about how to have successful conversations by watching talk show hosts!

One of the most important qualities exhibited by good talk show hosts on television that you can easily incorporate into your own conversations is the way they really pay attention to the person they are talking with.

The most successful talk show hosts demonstrate great curiosity in hearing what the person they are interviewing has to say. Even if they aren't really interested in the topic or the person, you would never know it by watching them. They listen intently, and they ask a lot of open-ended questions.

The body language of a good interviewer also reinforces the impression that they are listening with great interest. A good interviewer will lean slightly towards her guest and she will have an interested expression on her face. Her head may be very slightly tilted to the side. By the use of smiles and nods, she will encourage her subject to keep talking.

She will not be gazing around the room, or rolling her eyes, or yawning. Her face will not look blank or bored. Instead her expression will look as if she can't wait to hear what fascinating thing her guest will say next!

Why not learn from the professionals! When you are engaged in conversation with someone else, give that person your full attention. Look at their face while they are talking. Show your interest in what they are saying and keep encouraging them with your smiles, nods, comments and questions.

You may not get your own talk show, but you will gain more friends!