Tatler’s Guide to Being Conversant

Sound like you know what you’re talking about on pretty much any topic with the help of this Tatler-approved panel of experts

We’ve all been there: frozen out of a dinner party discussion when the topic strays into uncharted territory, leaving you wondering why you have no interesting anecdotes to contribute on the subject of modern art or contemporary literature. Whether it’s being able to deliver thoughts with finesse on the boss’s new watch, engage with authority on Mahler versus Mozart over canapés, or sprinkle in some sage advice on avoiding bad investments in the world of horse racing, it is always helpful to have a few Cliffsnotes on hand.

In Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell argues that the key to becoming an expert in any given field is to practise, in the correct way, for 10,000 hours. If that sounds like too much work, Tatler has your back, or at least we’ve created a cheat sheet to help make good use of your time, should you find yourself with a little extra on your hands. We talked to a spectrum of Hong Kong connoisseurs, who offer their tips and talking points, from books to Bach, so you can chime in with confidence when conversation turns intellectual—the next time we can all go out to parties again.