Being able to do small talk effectively can enhance your first impression to others. That can be essential with clients or just to make new friends.
Small talk is a light, formal and informal way of discourse. It’s normally used when you’re communicating with someone you don’t know very well and at social meetings. In short, it is a polite conversation about insignificant things. Small talk is best for situations where silence would be awkward and inconvenient, but private conversations would be unsuitable.
Formal Small Talk
The capability to involve in small talk with clients is vital business expertise.
Business small talk ascribes to small talk that is heading for in a business setting – such as in the deep silence before a meeting. It differs a little bit from the small talk as there is generally an agenda behind the chit-chat – this could be networking or judgment more about clients.
How to start
1. Hello/ Hey/ Yo!
2. Hi, how are you?
3. What’s your name?
4. Let me introduce myself, I’m _________.
5. Good morning/afternoon/evening
6. How’s it going?
7. How’s your day going?
8. Having a busy day?
9. Where are you from?
10. What do you do?
How to let the conversation continue to flow
- How have you been keeping?
- What have you been up to?
- How’s work these days?
- How long have you been working here?
- What’s the most memorable event so far?
- Do you have many projects coming up?
- What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
- Would you recommend that course to your friends and family?
- What are your hours like?
- What is your field in?
- Where did you study?
Listen & Respond
It is vital to show acknowledgment to an individual when you are having small talk. This can be done with simple body language like head nods, eye contact, etc. You can also make comments to let the other person know you are engaged:
1. Oh really
2. Oh WOW!
3. That’s interesting
4. What happened next?
5. Sounds great!
Close the conversation
1. It was great to meet you.
2. It was a pleasure meeting with you.
3. I look forward to seeing you again.
4. Let’s keep in touch.
5. Have a safe journey back.
Informal Small Talk
When would you use informal small talk? Usually you would use informal small talk when you are a customer at a business, at a friendly gathering, at the coffee shop, and more. Usually, when you are going to talk to someone who is not a close friend or family member, you would likely use informal small talk. Just like formal small talk, being able to hold a conversation with someone less known to you, can create a strong first impression of you which is very appealing to other people.
How to start
- Hello
- Good morning/ afternoon/ evening
- Hey, how is your day going?
- Nice to meet you.
How to let the conversation continue to flow
1. How did you get here today?
2. What is your hobby/ favorite thing to do in your spare time?
3. Do you have to travel regularly for work?
4. What do you think of public transport here?
5. What do think of the weather?
6. What do you like to do on the weekends?
7. Do you play any sports?
8. Would you like to get a coffee?
9. Where did you study at college/ university?
10. Do you speak any other languages?
11. What do you do for work?
12. What movie have you seen in theatres recently? What did you think about it?
Just like formal small talk, you should listen, respond and close the conversation seamlessly.
So what now?
Now is the perfect time to practice with a partner! If you have a friend who is a native English speaker (or near-native), then ask them to practice with them! Use different scenarios that can help you think of several different ways to effectively have small talk with a complete stranger.
Remember, the more you practice, the more you are able to effectively have small talk without worry!
Good luck!
Your teacher,
Dawn
