Dear Abby: I’m a man in my early 30s who has made a career switch. My new field requires me to be more social because I will be meeting with colleagues, some of them older than I am, and attending trade shows, meetings and business and social networking outings. This was never part of my former job.

I’m somewhat shy, and I can be uneasy in conversations. I don’t always know what to say if there is a break in the conversation. A relative told me you have tips on how to navigate conversing with all kinds of people in different situations. If they are still available, it would be useful for me.

—Gearing Up in Washington, D.C.

Dear Gearing Up: Your relative may have been referring to my booklet “How to Be Popular,” which is still in print. I will send you a copy. Making social conversation

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