SMALL TALK – CONVERSATION STARTERS

Here are several examples of phrases and sentences that are used to start a conversation when making small talk.

A: Talking about the weather B: Talking about current events

• Beautiful day, isn’t it? • Did you catch the news today?
• Can you believe all of this rain / snow we’ve been having? • Did you hear about that traffic accident on 5th Street?
• It looks like it’s going to snow. • I read on the Internet today that ABC company is closing.
• It sure would be nice to be somewhere warm and cozy right • I saw a viral video about… Have you seen that?
about now. • I heard someone on TikTok say something about…
• I hear they’re calling for thunderstorms all weekend.
• We couldn’t ask for a nicer day, could we?

C: At school / social event D: Outdoor activity / out for a walk

• How many years have you studied at this university? • Such a cute baby, how old is he / she?
• Do you study Business? • You have a friendly puppy, what’s its name?
• So, how do you know about this organization? • The cherry blossom trees are such a wonderful sight,
• Do you know some people from the same hometown? aren’t they?
• Most people here seem nice and welcoming, aren’t they? • How do you like the new sports facility?
• Have you joined other student clubs? • Do you come out here for exercise often?
• It’s my first time seeing you here. Do you usually come
out here this early?

E: Waiting somewhere
• I didn’t think it would be so busy today.
• You look like you’ve got your hands full. Need help?
• The bus must be running late today.
• I wonder how much longer are they going to let us wait before
the program starts.
• It looks like we’re going to be here for a while.
• How long have you been waiting?
SMALL TALK IN ENGLISH – Who, What, Where, When, Why?
WHO makes small talk? Those who don’t know each other at all, or are only acquaintances, often called a “friend of
a friend’. Adults are expected to say at least a few words in certain situations. Other people
such as office employees who may not be good friends but work in the same department,
or students who may not be good friends but are enrolled in the same class. Customer
service representatives, waitresses, hairdressers and receptionists often make small talk
with customers. If you happen to be outside when the delivery person comes to your door
you might make small talk with him too.

WHAT do people make small • “Safe” topics – weather, current events (as long as it’s not a controversial issue),
talk about? sports and/ entertainment news, common interests
• For example, if the bus is extremely full and there are no seats available you might
talk about reasons why. Similarly, people in an office might casually discuss the new
paint or furniture.
• Unacceptable topics - personal information such as salaries or a recent divorce is not
done between people who do not know each other well, negative comments, private
issues, religion, politics, other topics that the other person might not be comfortable
with or interested in
• Compliments about one’s hair or clothing are okay, but not about one’s physical
body

WHERE do people make small • Just about anywhere, but common places are where people wait for something
talk? (doctor’s / dentist’s waiting room, queues at the grocery store)
• Office (elevators, lunchrooms, restrooms, especially if there is a line-up)
• Social events (such as a party) require small talk among guests who do not know each
other very well.
• “Mingling” – people walk around in a social setting and talk to a variety of people
 WHEN do people make small First time you see or meet someone on a given day – e.g. if you see a classmate (who isn’t
talk? your friend) in a club meeting, you might say hello and discuss your hobbies or what other
classes you’re taking. However, the next time you see each other you might just smile and
say nothing. If there is very little noise, that might be an indication that it is the right time
to initiate a casual conversation. You should only spark up a conversation after someone
smiles and acknowledges you. Do not interrupt two people in order to discuss something
unimportant such as the weather. If someone is reading a book or writing a letter at the bus
stop it is not appropriate to initiate a conversation either. Another good time to make small
talk is during a break in a meeting or presentation when there is nothing important going
on. Finally, it is important to recognize the cue when the other person wants the
conversation to stop.

WHY do people make small There are a few different reasons why people use small talk. The first, and most obvious, is
talk? to break an uncomfortable silence. Another reason, however, is simply to fill time. That is
why it is so common to make small talk when you are waiting for something. Some people
make small talk in order to be polite. You may not feel like chatting with anyone at a party,
but it is rude to just sit in a corner by yourself. After someone introduces you to another
person, you do not know anything about them, so in order to show a polite interest in
getting to know them better, you have to start with some small talk.

Source: https://www.englishclub.com/speaking/small-talk_wh.htm