Well, don’t focus so much on what’s being said – instead focus on body language. That’ll give you the real deal on what’s happening. We got these tips from Rodale Publishing and they’ll help you be a conversational genius at a party, on a date, or even a job interview.

• For example, you’re prattling on about your dog FiFi – how cute she is, the little noises she makes while eating, her bathroom habits – when you start to notice that the person you’re talking to is blinking rapidly. When that happens, change the subject – quickly! According to body language expert, Patti Wood, author of Success Signals, an increase in blinking suggests that the listener wants to talk about something else. They’re literally closing their eyes to the topic.
• Next, be on the lookout for the head tilt. When a person is talking to you and tilts his or her head toward you – it’s like the body language version of tag and now you’re “it.” If you get the head tilt, jump in with a question. The tilt means the other person wants you to move the conversation along.
• Another body language tip from expert Patti Wood: Every so often, glance down at the feet of the person you’re talking to. If their feet are turned away from you, it means they want to escape from the conversation. It’s the earliest indicator that it’s time to move on. So if their feet are angled away from you, stop talking and start mingling.
• Lastly, if you really want to connect with someone – try this body language tip: Angle your body so your heart is directly opposite the heart of the person you’re talking to and make sure your hands don’t obstruct the view. It signals that you're fully present and genuinely interested in them.