No one likes a bore, especially if they’re stuck on a boat with them for four hours. It’s time to up your game and leave a decent, lasting impression with these simple tips for upping the interest factor.

1. Listen more than you talk. 

2. If you notice yourself getting bored with your own conversation, stop talking. Just smile and move on.

3. To make sure small talk isn’t snore-worthy, try to stray from the path of conventional conversation topics (but not too far). Have you discovered anything fascinating recently, or read an interesting news story? Make a mental note and you could spark an intriguing discussion.

4. Practice active listening. Without going too overboard, active listening involves staying engaged with your conversation partner by nodding, making eye contact, using verbal cues like “I see”, and “really?”, and resisting interrupting or stating your opinion until they’ve finished speaking.

5. Don’t make assumptions. When asking questions, try to leave them open-ended rather than following up with a comment too quickly. People’s answers might surprise you.

6. Let people talk over you. Rather than thinking of it as rude, think of it as a valuable assist.

7. Whatever you do, don’t mention you’re an influencer.

8. If all else fails, limit stories to the last five minutes of your life — the weather, the sailing, the quality of the boat, the fact you’re not paying for the day.

For more tips, tricks and must-know information about the Cup, discover our Sailing Regatta section.