SMALL

TALK
By:
Pratiksha Chauhan

WHAT IS SMALL TALK?

Small talk is meaningless conversation in
terms of content, but is often seen as
socially important in certain situations, or
context. In many English-speaking
countries, it can be viewed as rude or
unfriendly not to make small talk.

TWO
STRANGERS
CAN BE BEST
FRIENDS IN
FUTURE BY
USING SMALL
TALK

WHY DO WE NEED TO DO SMALL TALK?

1. Small talk is common at parties when guests may
know the host but not each other. It is considered
rude not to mingle and speak with other guests at
social functions, so small talk can break the ice and
get guests chatting. Compliments may be a type of
small talk such as one woman at party
complementing another on her dress. Guests at
the buffet table may make small talk about the types
of food offered as they place items onto their plates.
2.Some people like small talk because they find
silence uncomfortable and/or they enjoy
communicating verbally. Others enjoy meeting new
people and use small talk to start conversations.
Some people don't like making small talk at all and
often dread going to parties at least partly because
of it.

WHEN AND WHERE DO WE NEED SMALL

TALK?
1. Discussing the weather with people who you
don't really know is an example of small talk that
many of us are very familiar with on a daily
basis. We may chat about the weather with
the cashier at the supermarket or with the
attendant at the gas station.
2. Small talk may also be related to the situation
such as waiting in line. People in the line may
comment to others about how slow it is in the
post office or bank that day, for instance. We also
engage in small talk with people we may see
every day but don't really know such as those we
share the elevator with in our office building.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SMALL TALK

1. Practice. Converse with everyone you come
across: cashiers, waiters, people you're in
line with, neighbours, co-workers and kids.
Chat with folks unlike yourself, from
seniors to teens to tourists.

2. Read everything: cookbooks, newspapers,

magazines, reviews, product inserts, maps,
signs and catalogue. Everything is a source
of information that can be discussed.
3. Force yourself to get into small talk
situations, like doctors' waiting rooms,
cocktail parties and office meetings. Accept
invitations, or host your own gathering.

4. Immerse yourself in culture, both high

and low. Television, music, sports,
fashion, art and poetry are great sources
of chat. If you can't stand Shakespeare,
that too is a good topic for talk.
5. Talk to yourself in the mirror. Make a
random list of topics and see what you
have to say on the subjects. Baseball,
Russia, butter, hip-hop, shoes ...the
more varied your list, the better.
6.

Work on confidence, overcoming

shyness and any feelings of stage fright.
Remember, the more you know, the
more you know you can talk about.

TIPS FOR SMALL

TALK
Keep

up with current events. Make small talk

about the news, sports, your community, or
politics (unless politics is too controversial. On
second thought, that can generate some pretty
fiery dialogues.
Pay attention to what they're saying. When
you're making small talk, follow up on phrases;
for instance, if they say they're "excellent", ask
why ask where you can get some. If they
mention that they're exhausted, follow up on it.
When you're making small talk, remember that
great conversations and good connections can be
just around the corner.

Share

an anecdote about your day. Did you

lose your keys or find $10? Maybe you ate at a
new restaurant recently, or found a great new
CD. Making small talk is about sharing the
little things.
Recall

your past conversations with the

same person. Ask if their son is still ill or how
the Mexican holiday went. Making small talk is
easier when your memory is good.
Let

it go. If the conversation feels like

dragging a piano uphill then it may be time to
move on or let silence take over. You can't
connect with everyone, and some conversations
simply refuse to take life! Making small talk
involves knowing when it's time to move on.

DOS
&
SMALL

DON'TS

OF
TALK

1.Dont: Be interested only in yourself

Dont take this the wrong way but focusing on yourself, no matter
how interesting you think you are, may not be of interest to
another.
Do:The

key to making good small talk is to be interested in

others.
2.Dont: Talk too much

Small talk is aconversation a verbalexchangethats light and

casual.
Do:Create a conversation that you can both contribute to. Use
small talk as the first step to getting to know another person.

3.Dont:Say Nothing
Sounds contradictory to the above point, but
its not. If youre silent and dont talk at all
then youre not participating and forcing the
other person to carry the conversation load.
They may well leave you and go find
someone who would like to contribute to a
good conversation.
Do:Take responsibility for the success of the
conversation and create an appropriate
balance between listening and talking.

4. Dont: Neglect asking any questions

Not asking any questions quickly snuffs small talk

Do: Ask questions that will help you uncover
what you have in common with the other person.
Balance out the conversation by asking questions,
listening to the responses and adding your own
relevant comments.
5. Dont: Ask too many questions
Asking too many questions may make the other
person feel like shes in an interrogation and cause
her to be uncomfortable.
Do:Ask some questions and give her time to
respond but let her reciprocate and ask you
questions so she can get to know you too.

6. Dont: Respond with one word answers

One word answers take the conversation no where
fast and often result in an uncomfortable and
awkward silence.
Do:Even if youve been asked a yes/no
question, take a bit of time to elaborate. Include
some additional information that is relevant to the
question and keep the conversation going.
7. Dont: Look bored
Having a facial expression that reads Im bored
wont help make the conversation interesting and
instantly convert it to a fascinating one.
Do:If the conversation is boring, youre partly
responsible make the effort to create an
interesting conversation.

CONCLUSION
Knowing how to make interesting
small talk is a good social skill to
have. It allows you to meet and get
to know more people while allowing
others to get to know you. Its a
win-win situation.