Lessons from Lunch: Learn to talk about sports

Unless you work in the lingerie department of Macy's, it is likely that you work with at least one guy. Most likely multiple ones. And while girls will talk about the amazing sales at Macy's, guys tend to talk about sports. This might come from the fact that it is one of the few topics that guys can relate to eachother on that is appropriate to talk about at work. (but that is not the point) The point is that at one moment or another, you are mostlikely going to have to carry on a conversation with a group of guys and when that day comes... you are going to want to be prepared.

I am not saying that you need to suddenly give up the hottest reality TV series or your favorite sitcom and switch it for ESPN, ESPN News, and that show where there are four people screaming at eachother about hot "sports topics". Unless you dedicate 3 hours (that was an actual estimate from one of my male counterparts) a day reading sports blogs you might never be able to "compete" on the same level that they do, but it doesn't hurt to have something to contribute to the conversation.

How can this be done? Simply learn 5 facts about hot sports topics. Read the sports headlines once a week and learn just enough about a current topic to add in a sentence or two when the conversation arises at work. (which odds are? It most likely will) The guys will be so impressed that you will earn your "cool" points for the week and feel as though you contributed to conversation.