The Art of Witty Banter: Be Clever, Be Quick, Be Interesting - Create Captivating Conversation

by Patrick King

Think quickly on your be smooth, funny, and clever – all at once. Goodbye awkward silences, hello conversational agility!No matter where you lie on the spectrum of awkward to engaging, witty banter is always the end goal – and it should be. Witty banter, and all the steps that lead to it, allows you to (1) disarm and connect with anyone, (2) immediately exit boring small talk mode, and (3) instantly build rapport like you’re old friends.Flow with the conversational twists and turns like water.The Art of Witty Banter carefully examines the art, nuance, and mechanics of banter and charm to make you witty comeback machine, the likes of which your friends have never seen. You’ll be able to handle, defend, disarm, and engage others in a way that makes you comfortable and confident with each growing day.Transform "interview" conversations into comfortable rapport.Patrick King is an internationally bestselling author and Social Skills and Conversation Coach. As someone who teaches people to speak for a living, he’s broken wit and banter down to a science and given you real guidelines on what to say and when. Make a sharp, smart, and savvy impression – every time.There’s no guesswork here – you’ll get exact examples and phrases to plug into your daily conversations. 18 specific points to up your charisma quotient. How will you be clever, be quick, and be interesting?•Why the questions you use make people freeze.•How to master teasing, witty comebacks, and initiating jokes and humor.•What free association is and how it makes you quick-witted.•How to create an instant “in-group” and inside joke with someone.As well •The reactions and exact phrases to make yourself be heard.•How to create your Conversation Resume.•The best types of compliments to give and what you’re doing wrong.•What a fallback story is and how it can save you.Conversation is the key to all that you want in life. Moving up in your career, making new friends, and romantic success - it all starts from the same foundation of conversation. So make the most out of them and specialize in witty banter. If you can roll with any punch, be quick and lively, and make it look effortless, what would that say about you? You’ll have a waiting list for your new friends! Make the best impression on your first try, and never be worried that you’re boring anyone again.Click the BUY NOW button at the top right of this page!This is the third book in the “How to be More Likable and Charismatic” series as listed Improve Your Think on Your Feet, Witty Banter, and Always Know What To Say with Improv Comedy Techniques2. Improve Your People How to Connect With Anyone, Communicate Effectively, Develop Deep Relationships, and Become a People Person3. The Art of Witty Be Clever, Be Quick, Be Interesting - Create Captivating Conversation4. Principles of Skills for a Memorable First Impression, Captivating Presence, and Instant Friendships5. Magnetic How to Build Instant Rapport, Be More Likable, and Make a Memorable Impression – Gain the It Factor6. Better Small Talk to Anyone, Avoid Awkwardness, Generate Deep Conversations, and Make Real Friends

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Communication, Psychology, Personal Development, Social, Writing

151 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2016

About the author

Patrick King is a Social Interaction Specialist, in other words, a dating, online dating, image, and communication and social skills coach based in San Francisco, California, and has been featured on numerous national publications such as Inc.com. He’s also a #1 Amazon best-selling dating and relationships author with the most popular online dating book on the market, and writes frequently on dating, love, sex, and relationships.

He focuses on using his emotional intelligence and understanding of human interaction to break down emotional barriers, instill confidence, and equip people with the tools they need for success. No pickup artistry and no gimmicks, simply a thorough mastery of human psychology delivered with a dose of real talk, perfected and honed through three years of law school.

Reviews

[Jerilyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel like a better title for this book would be "How to Converse Like Your Annoying Boisterous Boomer Boss Who Thinks He's Funny But You Only Laugh Out of Fear and Awkwardness"

Not a pithy or eye catching title, but far more accurate.

Most of the critiques here are about how this book doesn't really cover witty banter, but that isn't the real problem. I read those critiques before checking out this book and I was not prepared for the actual problems of this book.

The problem? It's bad. Really bad. Do not take this man's advice on social interactions because it is bad.

Don't get me wrong, there is some good stuff here. A lot of it is well known in liguistics and psychology, he's just renamed it and pretended like he thought it up (and maybe he truly thinks that), but King makes it accessible and I get the sense that he is a genuinely personable sort.

I liked the part about having a conversational resume. I thought that was good advice and if he built this book around that structure, it would have been far more interesting and helpful. I liked his tip about free association and wish he had offered more examples and exercises to strengthen that skill. I thought his tip about adding boundaries to a conversation was also good advice. He's also got a few points about making your conversation partner feel heard and comfortable that are important and could have been expanded on. I also like the part about not always taking conversations literally.

However, the rest of his advice, particularly on humor and wit, is just terrible. I feel like this book, which is probably aimed at young men, could actually lead a person who truly needs help understanding the dynamics of conversation down the wrong path.

At one point he suggests posing thought experiments and then proceeds to give an example about cannibalism. It wasn't funny or witty, it was weird. Sure, I've had that conversation before (with friends after a night of drinking), but if I'm having conversation with someone at a party I would be very creeped out by this line of questioning. Did he offer some good advice on how to frame a difficult question so it's more likely to be answered? Sure. Well, no. He offered Ok advice, but presenting thought experiments as some sort of mind blowing technique that will make you appear witty will just end with some innocent person getting throughly skeeved out by whatever poor soul picked up this book and took it seriously.

Many parts of this book made me uncomfortable and gave me flashbacks to colllege when I exclusively dated the kind of men who self identified as Machiavellian. It felt smarmy and disingenuous. In fact, King encourages readers to lie. The book is incredibly inauthentic and I feel like if I ever met King with his Hawaiian shirts and fake stories and lame humor, I would feel uncomfortable. He doesn't know how to be himself. I hated him through parts of the book, But by the end I felt sorry for him. He has no presence, he's the class clown that doesn't realize he's grown up.

I didn't know anything about the author when I checked out this book. Halfway through (I think after the cannibalism chapter) I decided to look this guy up. He was giving me Crazy Uncle vibes, so I just assumed he was a middle aged white guy who is constantly making terrible jokes because no one has the heart to tell him he's lame. I was surprised to see that I was wrong, but it did shed light on how this guy could think these techniques work. He is a pleasant looking and neat person. Pleasant looking neat people can make bad jokes and talk about cannibalism and people will laugh because people like pleasant looking neat people. His advice on an average person will not get the same mileage. I also feel like he may not consider how some of his advice might work on a livong breathing woman coming from an average looking and not so neat or respectable appearing man.

It's like getting money advice from a rich person. At a certain point you have to accept that certain people are working with better resources.

Some of his examples/advice came off as threatening to me, a woman. As a man, I don't think King thought about how some of his advice might come off to women, and what exactly he was telling men to do and say to female conversation partners.

I'm okay with the fact that this book wasn't what I wanted. I picked It up because I wanted to know more about the inner workings of humor in conversation and I wanted tips on how to get my own natural humor to shine through. I wanted more presence in my micro interactions, and this book felt more like pick up artist tips. Whatever, that's okay.

But my problem with his book is that there are a lot of people who do struggle with social interactions due to neurodivergence, circumstance, anxiety, and trauma. An accessible book breaking down the inner workings of chit chat could be really helpful for some people, but this book ain't it. The examples are lame, based entirely on the author's personal experience, and lead readers down a path to being inauthentic and inappropriate.

Do not buy this book and for the love of all things good in this world do not hire this man to consult you. Unless you want goofy uncle vibes, then knock yourself out (but don't talk to me!)

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's more about being a good conversationalist versus being witty. Still, there are some good tips like having topics and stories prepared much like you would have answers prepared for a job interview. Some suggestions include a list ("resume") of unique experiences, interesting accomplishments, interesting things that happened that week, recent fun weekends, opinions on top cultural news, and funny facts about your hometown. Another good tip is to not throw out compliments randomly. Observe what the person has spent time or considerable thought on, such as someone wearing a Hawaiian shirt instead of a T-shirt as most others have done. Compliment the person on his style. Not only would the person appreciate the acknowledgment, it will likely start an excited conversation about how he got into Hawaiian shirts and his favorite colors and patterns.

[Russ · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title is misleading. Only the final couple of chapters deal with wit. Most of the book is about preventing lulls in conversations and avoiding mistakes in chit chat.

The book starts off with several acronyms that serve as guides to respond to comments that other people make. This was the weakest part of the book, because it's too hard to remember the acronyms, and even if you did, the potential responses are either predictable are nebulous.

The book picks up later on. It makes the suggestion that if you're going to an important social event (conferences, parties, etc), you should plan for it the same way that you would for a job interview. Develop a "conversation resume" in advance of the event by writing down accomplishments and vignettes that you can fall back on during conversations at the event. Good idea.

King makes a good point throughout the book about the purpose of conversation. The purpose isn't to grill the person you're talking to, or to prove something about yourself. The purpose is to attain mutual comfort. I like that mindset because it can probably help avoid missteps in conversations.

There are some strange examples in this book that don't work. It starts off with an ode to David Letterman, but the rest of the text doesn't connect back with what Letterman did to be witty, or how you can emulate it.

Overall, an uneven book with a couple of valuable nuggets spread out here and there.

[MANISH · Rating 2 out of 5]

it is mostly just the what you might have already known from random communication self help reels and shorts. Just read a summary of the book and skip ahead a lot while reading this book if you read it. The examples for witty teasing and comeback in the last 3 chapters were the most interesting part of this book for me

[Marek Unt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not witty.

[Anderkent · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book unfortunately is neither witty, quick, nor captivating.

[Sarah Cupitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

ah yes another day where the neurodivergent tries to learn how to better communicate with a normal person (long story short I'm internally screaming right now)

sarah only read this again if you ever find yourself back in corporate or something

People don't like
- being put on the spot for absolute answers/questions like fav movies (well fuck me)
- The issue with absolute questions is that they give little wiggle room and can quickly become exhausting. Most people want to engage in light, enjoyable conversation, not a job interview. (sorry i feel like a job interview is way better and easier than whatever the hell small talk is)
- Breaking the fourth wall with negative or critical comments can make the other person feel attacked, which could derail the conversation. For instance, saying, “Are you really turning this back to yourself again?” can feel condescending and create discomfort. (screams into the void because why is this so difficult)

Notes:
- mastering the art of banter helps you connect with others and keep the dialogue flowing. The key is to have a flexible toolkit of techniques that you can draw from to ensure you’re always ready with something to say, no matter the situation.
- One effective approach involves using three frameworks: HPM, SBR, and EDR.
- HPM stands for History, Philosophy, and Metaphor. It’s all about personal input. When someone shares a story, you can respond with your own experience. For example, if they mention skiing, you might say, “That reminds me of the last time I went skiing in the Alps.”
- SBR – Specific, Broad, and Related – focuses on the conversation itself. Here, you can ask detailed questions like, “What kind of slopes did you try?” Broader questions give you more context, like asking, “Where did you go skiing?” You could even shift to a related topic by saying, “That sounds fun! Have you tried snowboarding?”
- EDR – Emotion, Detail, and Restatements – adds depth by engaging with the speaker’s emotions and details. If someone tells you they went skiing last weekend, you could say, “It sounds like you had an amazing time,” or ask, “How was it going through all that fresh snowfall?” Restating their words shows you’re listening, like saying, “So you skied in the mountains last weekend?”
- HPM for internal input, SBR for topic-driven engagement, and EDR for emotional connection
- “Us Against the World” Technique – a clever way to build rapport by making the other person feel like you’re both part of an exclusive in-group. People naturally trust and like those who seem similar to them, and this technique taps into that by making the other person feel understood and aligned with you. (right so i need to be even more relatable AHHHH)
- Two effective techniques for witty teasing include disagreeing and amplifying. For example, if someone says, “I love your cats,” you could jokingly respond, “That’s what you think. Do you want them?” This playful exaggeration adds humor without offending. Similarly, if someone mentions a guilty pleasure, you can amplify your disagreement with something over the top, like, “You like Nickelback? Well, that’s my cue to leave.” (yeah but then when i do it its seen as flirting fml)

Personal Reflections:

Five unique experiences
Five most interesting accomplishments
Five greatest accomplishments
Five interesting weekly events (recent)
Three most interesting weekends (past 2 months)
Top 10 current events or pop culture news (your opinion)
Five hobbies and why you enjoy them
Three interesting career facts
One funny fact about your past
Three most embarrassing/funny moments

Word Association Exercise:

Napkin: table, spoon, fine dining
Fine dining: France, Michelin Star, butler
Butler: Jeeves, white gloves, Michael Jackson
And so on...

[cors · Rating 2 out of 5]

...

[Chris Esposo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Far from being a guide to repartee, 3/4 if this "book" reads like something out of a free pick up artist pdf guide. I've yet to find an audible book less than 4 hours that's worth what I paid for it unless it was free, and this has not broken those expectations. Yet, like a schmuck playing the markets, I keep buying these penny stocks, hoping profundity will be gotten in 2 hours or less.

Although the author defined wit several times and lays out some fairly trivial ground rules of how one can demonstrate it in conversation, he failed to demonstrate to the listener that he actually possessed it for himself. Not surprisingly for a 2-hour program, very few examples. Also, I couldn't place which audience the author was targeting, business? first dates? Random chit chat? None of what he offered would be wholly appropriate for anyone's use-case, and given the brevity of his product, that was an error in structure, as it fails to provide much value to anyone less they are foreign and unfamiliar with US conversational customs, or they suffer some clinical social challenges.

This is a great topic, would love the material on it, just not this one. Not recommended

[Zuzana K. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to stop reading this book when the author suggested asking people if they would consider cannibalism under certain circumstances as a topic of conversation. I wish I could get a refund.

[Synthia Salomon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Try not to be condescending

Moderation
Timing
Humor

Break the 4th wall

Build instant connection.

“By using structured techniques, like asking open-ended questions, injecting humor with comebacks, and playfully teasing, you can avoid awkward silences and build stronger connections. With the right tools, you’ll be able to navigate any conversation with ease and leave a lasting impression. The good news is that these methods are easy to learn and practice, so with time, you’ll find yourself effortlessly maintaining lively and fun interactions in any scenario.”

[Cat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yikes, chapters one through fifteen are basically just how to fill the silence, sixteen and onwards is about "wit" but my god even his examples for "good" teasing sound INCREDIBLY rude and all of this, like another commenter said, is very much so boomer humour. Only got two starts cuz the filling silence is halfway decent

[Candace Huddleston · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t walk away ready to out-banter Oscar Wilde. More like mildly amusing at a dinner party. Still, it’s a crash course for the socially tongue-tied.

[Astrid Eastman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick read. I think I had a good handle on most of his suggestions already but there are some good points that I didn't consider that will help navigate those first few minutes when you are at an event where you know zero people and don't want to ask the standard questions of "what do you do", "where did you go to school" etc.

[Alyssa Boisson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this book would be cute and funny; a cultural observation of the behavior of some of the world’s most clever conversationalists.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

This book full of cringe-worthy advice that perpetuates the echo chamber of bro-y white dudes telling cheesy jokes. I wish I could say it was interesting to see the blueprints for the conversations that construct the “old boys club.” It was not.

I listened to this book during a drive on audible. Within the first quarter I could tell it was going to be tortuous. Why did I finish it? I wanted to see if the author would grant a woman a speaking role in a book about conversations. Spoiler alert: nope.

EVERY example of dialogue and “wit” (including fictional references to pop culture characters as well as and scenarios invented or experienced by the author) featured only males.

In over 20 conversation examples that range from David Letterman to Fresh Prince of Bel Air to some dude named Bob at work this author does not grant a woman a speaking role. That’s right: this book about dialogue doesn’t pass the Bechdel Test.

Chapter 5 includes the largest amount of female presence (still no speaking roles… just a story about a man who is going to take one female colleague’s job while she’s out on maternity leave… after having an affair with his other female coworker).

No part of this was funny, creative, or novel. All of it was sexist, gross, and filled with advice sure to repel anyone around you with an ounce of humor and authenticity.

[P · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are socially awkward, this is the book for you. It's got a lot of practical tips on how to be, well, witty. If you're generally comfortable and good in conversations with people, with a decent sense of humor, you won't gain much from this book.

The biggest takeaway for me was the asking for absolute answers not being the ideal approach (instead of "what's your favorite movie" ask "what are some of your favorite movies" or "what have you seen lately"). I pretty much pivot quickly to these non-absolute kinds of responses, but I should just skip the absolute ones altogether, especially with someone I don't know well.

Anyway, heed the first paragraph. It will be of great use to some, but limited or no use to the rest. 3/10, but that's from my perspective -- yours may obviously be different and I would recommend this book without question if you're looking to improve on your conversational skills above and beyond a subpar level.

[Zainab · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I picked it up because it was short and very much accessible. Few chapters in I knew it was not about the art of witty banter. Cool for me; didn't want that either. But Patrick, come on. You could have chosen a better/relevant name.

Anyway, he was successful in making me actively think about the dynamics of any good or bad conversations that have made it to my permanent memory. It seems like I have the tendency to push a conversation to awkwardness, and I don't even realize it when I'm talking, especially to kids. So, to test the validity of Patrick's tips, I talked to my very young cousins about their school, 'life,' and stuff. Stuff I'm not usually interested in. It was the first time I was 'talking' to them, and it turned out pretty good. For them. I was too busy testing the tips. And now their mother wants me to teach them So, yeah.

Thank you, Patrick.

[Ashley von Schulman · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m not usually a harsh book critic, but this was just garbage. I was looking for something that talked more about the foundations of humour, but this was mostly a collection of crappy “tools” to prepare for conversations which, if used, will only compromise your presence and authenticity with your conversation partner.

[Rodrigo Ramos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Es un libro que te da algunas pautas (unas cuantas) para hacer una conversación un tanto más extensa. Lo que obvia el autor es que para soltar una oración o dos, el contexto físico debe ser el correcto, que es donde la mayoría nos atoramos (no es el propósito del autor hacer que ligues con extraños).
Aún así, se puede leer en esta primavera como curiosidad.

[Spellbind Consensus]

*The Art of Witty Banter: Be Clever, Be Quick, Be Interesting* is a lively and practical guide to mastering the subtle skill of conversational charm. Focused on the development of quick thinking, humor, and engaging dialogue, the book provides readers with strategies to navigate social interactions with confidence, intelligence, and charisma. Its central message is that witty banter isn’t just for naturally funny people—it’s a learnable skill that anyone can develop with the right tools and mindset.

The book begins by demystifying what witty banter really is. Rather than sarcasm, insult, or forced jokes, true banter is presented as a form of social play—a mutual, respectful, and spontaneous exchange that builds rapport, demonstrates confidence, and adds enjoyment to conversation. It relies on timing, tone, and a willingness to engage in the moment without overthinking.

A major theme is the importance of listening. Witty people don’t just talk—they observe, respond, and build off what others say. The book emphasizes the need to be mentally present and aware of subtle cues like word choice, body language, and emotional tone. By tuning into these details, one can respond in ways that feel sharp and relevant rather than rehearsed or random.

Several techniques are introduced to help readers train their minds to think more quickly and creatively. These include wordplay, exaggeration, callbacks, contrast, and twist endings. Each method is explained with examples, allowing the reader to understand how humor and cleverness can arise from even simple observations. Practice exercises are included to help internalize the techniques and encourage improvisation.

The book also addresses common obstacles such as fear of saying the wrong thing, social anxiety, or coming off as awkward. It offers mindset shifts—such as embracing the risk of being playful, understanding that banter is cooperative rather than competitive, and viewing misfires as natural and even endearing. Confidence, the author notes, comes not from perfection but from comfort with imperfection.

Another key concept is adaptability. Not every situation calls for the same kind of wit. The book discusses how to read a room and adjust tone, energy, and content to fit the social context—whether it’s flirting, networking, joking with friends, or diffusing tension. The goal is to enhance interaction, not dominate it.

The final sections explore how witty banter can strengthen relationships, defuse awkwardness, and increase social attractiveness. It is framed as a social skill that enhances authenticity, draws people in, and creates memorable moments.

In sum, the book is an encouraging, hands-on guide to cultivating spontaneity, humor, and verbal agility. With consistent practice, readers are empowered to bring more creativity, warmth, and confidence to every conversation they enter.

[Jung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick King’s “The Art of Witty Banter” is a comprehensive guide for those seeking to master the art of engaging and dynamic conversations. Through structured techniques and practical advice, King helps readers build rapport, avoid awkward silences, and leave a lasting impression in any social scenario. The book emphasizes the importance of humor, curiosity, and emotional intelligence in creating meaningful and enjoyable interactions.

One of the central ideas in the book is the use of structured frameworks to keep conversations lively and adaptable. The "HPM (History, Philosophy, Metaphor)" method encourages responding with personal anecdotes, opinions, or metaphors to add depth to a dialogue. Meanwhile, "SBR (Specific, Broad, Related)" helps keep discussions flowing by asking detailed or broad questions, or steering the conversation toward related topics. The "EDR (Emotion, Detail, Restatement)" approach emphasizes empathetic listening by acknowledging emotions, delving into specifics, and echoing the speaker’s words to demonstrate attentiveness.

King also highlights the importance of avoiding conversational pitfalls, such as absolute questions that demand definitive answers and often stall the flow of dialogue. Instead, he suggests reframing these questions to be more open-ended and inviting. For example, asking about “recent favorite movies” rather than “all-time favorites” creates a more relaxed atmosphere, making it easier for others to engage.

The book offers practical techniques to inject humor into conversations, such as playful teasing, witty comebacks, and “breaking the fourth wall” by making meta-comments about the interaction itself. These tools, when used with care and positivity, can add levity and charm to any dialogue. Additionally, strategies like the “Us Against the World” technique, where shared observations create a sense of connection, and fallback stories, which steer conversations toward relatable themes, ensure you’re never at a loss for words.

Ultimately, “The Art of Witty Banter” is a reminder that good conversation is about making others feel comfortable, valued, and entertained. By practicing the methods King outlines, readers can become skilled conversationalists who navigate any social situation with ease, humor, and confidence.

[Ashley Z · Rating 1 out of 5]

In this book, King outlines all his tips and tricks to keep conversation going. From how to respond to topics you aren't familiar with/passionate about to how to introduce what you truly wish to say, he covers all the basics. He even provides an outline at the end with a short list of all that you've learned throughout the book.

I think that there is some really good material in this book. I work in a very customer-facing position and some of his brainstorming drills are very clever and helpful. It can be very hard to make small talk the same way many times per day, so having go-tos and new ideas in my head is very very useful to keep things fresh. I also appreciated his advice about talking to a reluctant audience as that is so often what I've got to work with in a professional setting.

A lot of this book really rubbed me the wrong way, unfortunately. I felt like there were a lot of inconsistencies and even ideas and suggestions that fully violated previous rules that were outlined. For example, King specifically advises against taboo/sensitive topics, but then spends a whole chapter suggesting s*icide jokes as lighthearted banter. How is that not sensitive or taboo? You really have to know your audience well for jokes like that. Also a lot of his teasing examples are flat-out mean. I fear that this may be an issue of a concept simply translating poorly to text due to the inability to read tone, but I'm not sure. I was just really put off quite a few times in this book.

Overall, I would recommend the beginning few chapters of this book for people who struggle with small talk and are in positions where they have to make it very frequently, but otherwise I'm not sure about this one. Sorry!

[Whittney Neill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid book for those who already have a vague notion of conversational skills but just need to fine tune it. It was a nice read and helped me realize I already had the foundations of witty banter in my social repertoire. Just be careful when using some of the tips in the book. Though the author does give warnings, it is extremely important to know your audience. If not, you can either sound passive aggressive, insulting, or rude. There's a time and a place for everything and trying to be the most interesting person in the room at the expense of others may or may not get you brownie points. Otherwise the book is great, nice analogies and examples. I pictured some of the examples in the book happening between Dads. So now, whenever I'm in conversation, I'll just remember this book and will try to channel my inner Dad energy.

[Clicky Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh dear.

I picked this book up cheap when I was got a notion to research comedians and linguistics. Unfortunately there wasn't really any focus on that side of things. Instead, this was more a playbook for how to approach small-talk - and not a particularly good one.

Some of the discussion around interactions with people was interesting, but so many of the examples were incredibly cringe-worthy; the kind of obvious, basic remark that you might expect from an overly familiar American colleague trying to be smart. Truly, woefully bad.

I am not entirely sure who this book is meant to be for. Most people will know how to engage in the manner presented already, and if they don't, the advice provided has so much potential to go badly wrong for the tragically socially inept. I won't be reading any other books from the author.

[Liang Gang Yu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Out of 18 pieces of advice, the best are tips for engaging in respectful (12,13,14) and personal (7, 15) conversations. Good advice for intellectual (5,8) and responsive (3, 6) dialogs. Terrible are how to be witty and teasing (11, 16).

Overall, it is more about being a good conversationalist than a witty banter. Prepare yourself for it, mentally and intellectually. The book tells a few chit chat tricks that might help or backfire.

Be authentic, be a conversationalist through learning knowledge and experience from practice, all of which are beyond this short book. On a positive note, to pick any homework, I would recommend “create a conversation resume”.

[Ahmed · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of these books that could have easily been a blog post.
underwhelming, says many things, except for... how witty banter works
i will leave you with this quote from the book.... which made me wonder, why was this book written at first place.

"I wish I could tell you there is some sort of magic dividing line to determine whether you have passed the point of being witty and teasing to being cruel.
Unfortunately, no such thing exists. You really have to rely on your sense of context and ability to read other people. If you miss one of the factors I’m about to lay out, you will get on the wrong side of people."

[Rishabh Bhardwaj · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish these kinds of conversation-improving books had textbook style questions and answers at the end of each chapter to really make you think. What I've found is it's just much better to go to any Reddit thread and think of witty comments. Once you've written some down, scroll down and learn how yours could have been better! That said, this book does a good job at identifying how chit-chat can be done in a less boring way - but focussing on theory with a few personal fat people anecdotes doesn't stick or help the reader remember anything in the long run.

[Rahul Kashyap · Rating 1 out of 5]

Such a bad book. I can’t listen to it anymore. It is the most basic fluff that you could ever find. I always wonder that when people have to write a book, which will live for eternity under their name, how can they produce the most average result.

This is one of those books. Come on, I don’t understand how you wrote the book and thought, hmm this book will help people.

Absolute waste of time, if I choose my words politely.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thought the beginning was not terrible - sure, ask open-ended questions, sounds like a great idea. Then I felt like things quickly jumped into the territory of obnoxiousness. Believe me, if anybody is talking to me and tries to engage me in "role play" I may just walk away. It felt extremely tone deaf, and many of the examples would not fly in today's world (I had to double check the publication date and was amazed that it was printed in 2020).

[Andrew Bohn · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you have ever talked to a human being before, this book is not for you. Patrick King describes in excruciating detail what sarcasm is, how to make a joke and exactly why it will be funny (using his advice it won’t be), and how to trick people into liking you by using deceptive tips that probably won’t work. If I knew someone who used every tip and tactic in this book I would go to great lengths to avoid them at all costs. This book made me want to claw my eyes out.