Written for comment_fic on livejournal
Prompt was Parker, Book called "Understanding Human Behavior"
Parker read a book on the subject. Well, part of a book. She took notes, though, and she even made a list of main points. She keeps the list with her so she can take it out for reference when she has to talk to somebody. But the list keeps growing and changing as Parker has to talk to more and more people. She's glad she has the list, though....Quick Tips For Understanding Human Behavior
Summarized and Written Down By Me (Parker)
1. People are social and they desire interaction with other people. (Note to self: smelling someone only counts as interaction in certain circumstances)
2. People value honest feedback about their strengths and weaknesses. (Note to self: people DO NOT like this.)
3. People like to know that you care about them as individuals. Find out what makes them unique, and tell them why thy matter. (Note to self: if someone is not unique and that person does not matter one bit to anyone, do NOT tell them that. See note for #2)
4. Fear is a natural emotion that helps human beings learn when to be cautious, and how to avoid making the same mistake twice. (Note to self: don't laugh at people who are afraid of heights, especially if that person is a computer hacker who can put you on every telemarketer's call-list in the country)
5. People respond well to others they have something in common with. Try making conversation to determine what shared interests you have (Note to self: Reminiscing about that time when you made that person cry is NOT a shared interest with that person. Even if it TOTALLY seems like it should be.)
6. When all else fails, talk about something universal, like the weather, or sports, or pets, or celebrity gossip. (Note to self: Do NOT tell people you won a magical weather machine by beating Russell Crowe at kitten-rugby. It will not help them relate.)
7. People will be drawn to you as long as you are confident in what you say and do. (Note to self: your confidence may be interpreted by some as being a "lunatic" and/or "not right." This may not be a criticism necessarily, but simply an observation made by good friends.)
