1.	You suspect that someone close to you is unhappy about something you have done, but when you ask how he or she felt about it, the person simply said ‘OK’. How do you respond? Take what was said at face value — that everything really is OK. Wait until you think the time is right and then encourage the person to open up and talk about how he or she truly feels. Assume that the person would rather not talk to you about it — respect the ‘right to silence’ on this matter.
2.	You arrive at a party and contrary to your expectations you find that you know very few people. How do you respond? Head straight for the few people you know in the hope that they’ll introduce you to some of the other guests. Let your host and your friends know that you have arrived, and then ‘take the plunge’ by introducing yourself to some of the other guests. Stay for a little while, making sure that you at least talk to your host.
3.	It is some time since you had any contact with one of your friends. How do you respond? Take the initiative and get in touch with the friend to ask how he or she is getting on. Reason that, like you, the person has probably been busy and will get in touch with you in his or her own good time. Assume that the person has found new friends and don’t expect to hear from him or her any further.
4.	You are introduced to someone who seems to be nervous and hesitant about engaging in conversation. How do you respond? Pretend to listen and take an interest in what the person is trying to say before moving off to talk to somebody else. Listen carefully to what the person is saying, don’t interrupt and when you do speak, try to respond positively to what the person has said. Take advantage of the first pause in the conversation to start talking about yourself.
5.	You have just made friends with someone who is new to the area in which you live. How do you respond? Introduce the person to your friends, but only when you are forced to do so. Use every opportunity to introduce the person to your network of friends and social contacts. Allow the person to settle in and to develop other friendships by himself or herself.
6.	A friend has run into a serious problem and is in urgent need of your help. To offer that help would cause you a great deal of inconvenience. How do you respond? Agree to help, but only if no one else can be found. Recognize the seriousness of the person’s predicament and offer your support. Point out the inconvenience it would cause you and suggest that the person try someone else.
7.	You are in conversation with someone who is trying to explain something to you but is taking a long time about it and you have important things to do. How do you respond? Make any excuse you can think of to bring the conversation to an end. Explain to the person that you have pressing things to do and ask him or her to sum up the main points in the argument. Say nothing, but make a point of looking at your watch.
8.	A colleague is talking to you about a complex issue, but you are having difficulty in concentrating on what they are saying. How do you respond? Try to give the impression that you are listening and wait until the ordeal is over. Suppress a yawn, say that you are very tired, and ask if you can talk about it some other time. Keep asking questions until you have developed an understanding of what the person is saying.