WHAT do people make small talk about?

There are certain "safe" topics that people usually make small talk about. The weather, current events, entertainment news are all safe topics. If there is something that you and the other speaker have in common, that may also be acceptable to talk about. 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.

WHERE do people make small talk?

People make small talk just about anywhere Examples are, a person who is waiting for the bus or the person beside you waiting to get on an airplane. People also make small talk in waiting rooms, or in queues at the grocery store. People make small talk in elevators, lunchrooms, and even in restrooms. Some social events require small talk among guests who do not know each other very well. This is called "mingling" when people walk around in a social setting and talk to a variety of people.

WHEN do people make small talk?

The most common time for small talk to occur is the first time you see or meet someone on a given day. 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. It is important to recognize the cue when the other person wants the conversation to stop.

WHY do people make small talk?

There are a few different reasons why people use small talk to break an uncomfortable silence or 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.

Conversation Starters

THE CLASH OF CULTURES... in Small Talk

Fill in the following table by putting + / - signs. Add some comments if necessary. Discuss the results with another student.

Many linguists when discussing non-equivalent lexis usually refer to words like 'balalaika or 'kilt' - names of physical objects typical of one culture and non-existent in another one. In our opinion much more difficult and interesting are words like 'privacy or 'small talk' denoting abstract notions, underlying certain cultures. The notion of 'privacy’, which is given particular importance in many western countries and is alien to the Russian culture — the word has no equivalent in Russian. In this article we are going to consider the notion of 'small talk' and the subjects which are regarded as appropriate and safe in English-speaking countries.

First of all — what is 'small talk"? The famous English-Russian Dictionary by V.K. Muller, used by many learners of English, says the following: "small talk – пустой, бессодержательный, светский разговор." another authoritative source, New English-Russian Dictionary edited by Professor I.R. Galperin gives the following translation: "small talk – болтовня, светская (лёгкая) беседа." After reading these translations you don't quite get the idea. The feeling is 'Well, we are not going to be engaged in "пустые, бессодержательные разговоры" or in "болтовня...". However, the Longman Dictionary of English Language and Culture explains that 'small talk' is "light conversation on unimportant or non-serious subjects" and gives the following example to illustrate it: "people making small talk at a cocktail party". Oxford Advanced Dictionary of Current English by A.S. Hornby defines 'small talk' as 'conversation about everyday and unimportant social matters'. Soafter all, small talk is not as bad as "пустая, бессодержательная болтовня" and for successful communication with native speakers of English we should be able to make small talk.

Choosing the right topic is vital for it. Safe topics, those which are considered appropriate to be discussed with people you don't know well (or see for the first time in your life, as the case may be) vary from country to country. Let's compare the 'conversation areas' in Russian and English. Do you remember the table you filled in before reading the text? The safest topics recommended for small talk in textbooks on Business English or cultural matters are as follows: travel, weather, jobs (but not salary and other money matters), origins (that is where you come from, the country or city), interests and topical events making headlines in newspapers and magazines, but not politics. If you want to talk about literature and art (Culture with the capital 'C') you are recommended to find out cautiously if your interlocutor shares your interests.

As for the unsafe topics, Americans say that it is dangerous to talk about two things: religion and politics. In some British courses of Business English, the list of unsafe subjects also includes the Royal family, race relations, salary/income, health, pets and Northern Ireland. In Russia, many of these unsafe topics are the most popular subjects discussed by educated people when they get together on various occasions. It is only natural that they transfer their conversation habits into communication in English. This may actually lead to misunderstanding. To avoid it, students of English should not only be aware of the cultural differences in topics for small talk but also try to acquire certain skills in it.

The three 'A's are very important in a typical conversation in English: 'answer, add and ask'. It means that when you are asked a question you should answer it, add something and, in your turn, ask another question - to keep conversation going. Instead of monopolizing a conversation, turning it into a monologue you are recommended to show more interest in your interlocutor's country (or city), his/her travelling, family, hobbies, etc. than in the matters of your own life.

When answering a question, do not give a 'yes' or 'no' answer, (don't forget about the second 'A' - add), develop your idea in some way. Try not to sound categorical: use phrases like ‘ I think', 'I guess’, ‘In my opinion’.

When disagreeing, use phrases like ‘ I don't think so',...

Very often questions are disguised as remarks. English people try to avoid a direct question because they are afraid of appearing 'nosey'. A remark is more casual and oblique. Many of these will end with a question tag (disjunctive question). In this case tags are pronounced with a falling intonation. Question tags are very useful in carrying on a conversation. It's a fine day today, isn't it?' doesn't sound silly in English.

If you want to introduce one of the less safe subjects, it is best to be indirect. Start with 'Would you mind if I asked you...', 'Forgive me for asking, but could you tell me...', ‘I don't want to be inquisitive, but...'.