• Two-way communication: A conversation involves at least two people exchanging information or ideas. It's not just one person speaking and the other listening passively.
  
  
• Turn-taking: People take turns speaking and listening. There are unspoken rules about who speaks when and for how long.
  
  
• Shared purpose: There's often a goal or purpose to a conversation,  like exchanging information, reaching an agreement, building rapport, or simply enjoying each other's company.
  
  
• Adaptability: Conversations can flow and change direction based on what's being said and the participants' reactions.
  
  
• Nonverbal cues: Nonverbal cues like body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice play a big role in conveying meaning and emotion in a conversation.

Basic Conventions:

• Greetings and closings: Conversations typically start with greetings and end with polite closings.
  
  
• Actively listening: Good conversationalists pay attention to what the other person is saying and respond appropriately.
  
  
• Clarity and conciseness: People try to express themselves clearly and concisely to avoid confusion.
  
  
• Respectful language: Conversations should be respectful, even if there are disagreements.
  
  
• Maintaining focus: While conversations can flow, there's usually a general topic or theme guiding the discussion.

These are just some basic characteristics and conventions.  The specific way a conversation unfolds can vary depending on the situation, the people involved, and the purpose of the conversation.

I hope it helps!