In many English-speaking countries, conversations start with a few minutes of light talk before the main topic: the weather, the weekend, a trip. That is small talk. For learners, that is great news: the topics repeat, so you can prepare.
Safe topics
| Topic | Opener |
|---|---|
| Weekend | ”How was your weekend?” / “Any plans for the weekend?” |
| Weather | ”Can you believe this weather?” |
| Work | ”How’s work been?” / “Busy week?” |
| Travel | ”Have you been anywhere nice lately?” |
| Food | ”Have you tried that new place downtown?” |
| TV and movies | ”Are you watching anything good?” |
| Sports | ”Did you watch the game?” |
The three-step technique
- Open question: avoid yes or no questions. Instead of “Did you have a good weekend?”, ask “How was your weekend?”.
- Answer with a detail: do not stop at “Good”. Say “Good, I went hiking with some friends.”
- Return the question: “What about you?” or “How about yours?”
That loop keeps the conversation moving without effort.
Ready answers to “How are you?”
- “Good, thanks. How are you?”
- “Not bad, you?”
- “Pretty busy, but good.”
- “Can’t complain.”
“How are you?” and “How’s it going?” are greetings, not real questions. Answering with a serious problem sounds odd at work.
Phrases to react and show interest
- “Oh, nice!”
- “That sounds fun.”
- “Really? How was it?”
- “I’ve always wanted to go there.”
- “No way!”
How to exit politely
- “Anyway, I should get going. It was great talking to you.”
- “I’ll let you get back to work.”
- “Let’s catch up later.”
- “Well, I’d better get started on this.”
What to avoid
Politics, religion, salary, age and appearance. At work, also avoid asking about children or relationships with people you barely know.
Where to learn the rhythm of small talk
Office shows and comedies are full of small talk, with the same openers and exits you will use in real life. Notice how characters react with short phrases and return the question. With Telidioma you can replay a line, hear the intonation and save the reactions you want to use. To get past the fear of starting conversations, read how to overcome the fear of speaking English.
Frequently asked questions
Why is small talk so important in English?
In countries like the US and the UK, jumping straight into business can seem cold. A few minutes of light conversation build trust before the main topic.
What topics should I avoid in small talk?
Politics, religion, salary, age and physical appearance. At work, it is also better to avoid very personal questions about family and relationships.
How should I answer “How are you?”?
Most of the time it is just a greeting. Answer briefly and return it: “Good, thanks. How are you?”. It is not the moment to share how you really feel, except with friends.