Good listeners are perceived as good conversationalists.
Spare me the people who ask, 'Have you thought about ... losing weight, hiring an assistant, buying a Pentium, working with an etiquette specialist, coloring your hair?
Ninety percent of the people in any group are nice, raised to be polite, and have more in common than not.
Small talk is the biggest talk we do.
Respect for people is the cornerstone of communication and networking.
Be yourself' is good advice, unless you notice that people are always excusing themselves and moving away from you. In that case, try being someone else!