Hi @galenkp, it is very interesting the way you have dealt with the topic. Being a good conversationalist I think requires training for most people (myself included). The body also speaks and the information conveyed by the body should not be contradictory to what the words say. But there is one point you mention that few people point out, humor.
I am not going to be heavy in the explanation but basically paradoxes, surprises (and there is a lot of this in humor) well used can unblock situations by the mere fact that they short-circuit neural networks that work by “inertia” and allow the entry of new information. Here I leave this.
A smile disarms a person, if genuine, and humour can do the same. It has to be appropriate though, and not too corny or stupid, also used at precisely the right moment.
I totally agree. If I don't use it properly, the other person may think that I'm laughing at them or that I don't care what they think. Which is certainly not a good way to have a conversation.