THE DOLLAR BILL ORIGAMI EXPERIMENT

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Engaging random people in the streets can be a daunting task. However, as a society, we all need conversational skills for proper engagement (Hargie 23). Meeting and talking to stranger calls for one to pick from such. This, however, is aided by more than effective communication skills. As in this task, using the dollar bill origami is one of the most efficient ways of striking a conversation. The curiosity developed by the artistic work is vital as an intriguing factor to strangers. This is in itself a conversation opener. The following paper is a reflection of the dollar bill origami experiment.
In order for one to engage another in a conversation, there must be some common ground otherwise known as a topic of conversation. This is a fact that points out that effective communication takes place amongst at least two that are in consensus about the topic (Hargie 36). However, this is not always the case. When walking along the streets, seeking to talk to strangers proved that one can effectively communicate with another even before they find the common ground. As true as it is, there is a need for certain conversation starters. The dollar bill origami was my choice object.
Due to the uncertainties in my intentions, most of the people I engaged viewed me suspiciously. Seeing that there are different types of characters in the society, it is a situation I understood. Attempting to sell the origami grasped the attention of some as there is always an appealing effect with artworks.

This was an effective element serving as an icebreaker. As an individual, I seized the opportunity with and attempted to sell the piece for one dollar. The simplicity of the origami created the impression that it is an easy object to make. This simplification, besides making the strangers engage more, tended to lower the likelihood of selling it. However, my explanation on the level of complexity in the activity was enough to make it worth buying. The spontaneity of the explanations dwelt more on the fundamental nature of the expertise and the tricks involved in paper folding. This set me apart from other street vendors as our conversation was rooted in an object made of a dollar bill being exchanged for a dollar bill.
Though the above was true, I observed that there are inquisitive individuals in the streets. Though I had an object of curiosity to them, our conversation was driven by their need to understand why I would be attempting to sell an object made of a dollar sign for one dollar. As such, they served to capture our conversation as opposed to me engaging them. This triggered the need for me to listen carefully while at the same time attempting to sell it despite the apparent reluctance. Notable cases were when strangers engaged me in the ethics of selling money bills in a disguise. This drew me to the realization that there are individuals in the streets willing to instill values unto others though they lack the platforms.
Throughout our conversations, I was able to understand that there are different types of people in the streets. On one end, there were those unresponsive to any attempt at conversation. These are the individuals who took my efforts as suspicious attempts. Though I did my best to engage them, the conversation ended up as either one-sided or only drew retorts from the individuals. As a result, I opted to disengage myself from holding on further would amount to negative outbursts. On the other hand, there were those willing and ready to talk. A majority of them were individuals who were not only curious but ready to share their ideas. The depth of their knowledge proved to be conversation builders and as such, promoting my “product” was not an uphill task.
Work Cited
Hargie, Owen, ed. The handbook of communication skills. Psychology Press, 1997.