It can be hard to know what to say when you meet someone new. You want to make a good impression, but you don’t want to say something that will make the other person feel uncomfortable. Small talk is a great way to get to know someone and break the ice.
So how do you make small talk? Start by asking the other person about himself or herself. You can ask about their job, their hobbies, their family, or anything else you think is appropriate. Try to keep the conversation light and friendly once you get it going. at first, try not to talk about things that could make the other person feel uncomfortable.
Asking the other person about his or her day, weekend, or plans
It is polite to ask someone about their day, weekend, or plans for the coming week. This shows that you care about how they are doing and are interested in them. It also breaks the ice and makes the conversation feel more natural.
You can ask the other person, “How was your day?” or “What did you do today?” to find out about their day.
You can ask them, “What did you do this weekend?”, “What do you have planned for the weekend?”, “What are your plans for the week?”, or “What’s on your schedule for the week?”.
Asking someone about their job, hobbies, or interests
It’s important to show interest. When you ask about someone’s job, hobbies, or interests, you show that you value their time and conversation. Also, you might learn something new or find a deeper way to connect with the other person.
But it’s important to ask these questions in a way that is sincere and doesn’t bother the other person. For example, you wouldn’t want to ask a question with only two possible answers, “yes” or “no”. Instead, you could ask a question that allows the other person to give more details.
Here are some good questions to ask about someone’s job, hobbies, or interests:
- What do you do for a living?
- What do you like to do for fun?
- In your free time, what do you like to do?
- What are some of the things you like to do?
Talking about current events or news items
When something important happens in the news, you can be sure that people will have a lot to say about it.
Make sure you are well-informed about the issue. It’s important to be thoughtful and considerate when commenting on sensitive topics. Be respectful of other people’s opinions, even if you don’t agree with them. By following these simple rules, you can make sure your comments about current events are helpful, kind, and polite.
The golden rule for making small talk? Just go for it, even if your English isn’t perfect
You can still make small talk with people even if your English isn’t perfect. Here are some suggestions:
- Just chill out and be yourself. Don’t worry if you mess up, because everyone does.
- Think of a few things you can talk about. This could be something you heard about in the news, something you like to do, or something you’re really interested in.
- Smile and look them in the eyes. This will let the other person know that you want to talk to them.
- When you meet someone new, look for things you have in common. This could be anything, like a common interest or a person they both know.
- Ask open-ended questions. Instead of asking yes/no questions, ask questions that need a more detailed answer. This will help keep things moving in the conversation.
- Be a good listener. Small talk isn’t just about talking, it’s also about hearing what other people have to say. Give the other person a chance to talk and pay close attention to what they say.
- Keep it light: Small talk should be friendly.
- Smile. A smile is a universal sign of friendliness, so when you’re making small talk, make sure you smile.
In conclusion, don’t be afraid to start a conversation with someone new. Even if your English isn’t perfect, you can still make small talk and get to know the person. Just relax and have fun with it, and you’ll be surprised at how much progress you make over time.
