<p><b>It’s a brief conversation between you and someone you don’t know very well. </b></p><p>Small talk is an essential stage of a casual conversation, especially in English-speaking cultures.</p>

Small talk

<ul><li><b>Have a genuine interest</b> in getting to know a person you’re talking to and learn from them.</li><li><b>Ask open-ended questions.</b> It encourages the other person you're speaking with to open up.<i>“What do you do?” followed by “Why did you choose that type of work? How did you enter that profession?”</i></li><li><b>Never talk about something too personal.</b></li><li><b>Practice active listening.</b> By paying attention to the speaker’s words, you’ll create much stronger connections.</li></ul>

How to get better at small talk

<div>
<img src="https://preply.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/photo-1522071820081-009f0129c71c.jpg"><p>Most people hate small talk . Especially, when it comes to <a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-real-reason-introverts-dread-small-talk_us_56854922e4b06fa688823798">introverts </a>. But whether you're bad at it, worrying that you will run out of words, or feeling awkward, you can't avoid this polite conversation about seemingly unimportant things. </p>
<p>Davis Burkus, an author of " <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Friend-Understanding-Hidden-Networks-Transform/dp/0544971264/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=1500168576&amp;sr=1-8&amp;linkCode=sl1&amp;tag=dbpreorder-20&amp;linkId=76c92ad5b5927057d62c5e3ac2fe864b">Friend of a Friend: Understanding the Hidden Networks That Can Transform Your Life and Your Career </a>" emphasizes that small talk is more than just a typical act of politeness. In fact, it's crucial for your success in different spheres of life. And if you hate small talk and do your best to avoid it, you are just cutting yourself off from lots of meaningful social interactions. Besides, <a href="https://nymag.com/scienceofus/2014/07/why-new-yorkers-should-small-talk-more.html">research confirms </a> that <i>"more frequent </i><i> makes people happier" </i>, even those who are introverts </p>
<img src="https://preply.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/photo-1521737604893-d14cc237f11d.jpg"><h2><strong>What is small talk</strong></h2>
<p>Small talk is not a <a href="https://www.macmillandictionaryblog.com/small-talk-is-no-small-matter">small thing </a>. It's like a gateway to the conversation. You just need to knock on this door, wait for the response of other person and see whether they'll invite you in or not. No matter whom you interact with, friends or colleagues, even office small talk should be light and informal. Generally, it's a brief conversation between you and someone you don't know very well. You can frequently encounter it at different social events and during networking. </p>
<p>Most dictionaries define as a short conversation about a non-meaningful topic. However, there are other points of view. While some consider it as useless talk aimed to fill the silence and avoid awkwardness, others see a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brettnelson/2012/03/30/six-reasons-small-talk-is-very-important-and-how-to-get-better-at-it/#291c136b6476">strategic component </a> in it. That's why small talk is an essential stage of a casual conversation, especially in English-speaking cultures. </p>
<h2><strong>Steps to making small talk: 5 main principles</strong></h2>
<img src="https://preply.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/http_2F2Fprod.static9.net_.au2F_2Fmedia2FNetwork2FImages2F20182F012F082F122F122F180108_gg_small_talk_03.jpg"><h3><strong>Show a genuine interest</strong></h3>
<p>History is full of great business partnerships and long-term relationships started with simple small talk phrases. For example, before Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-ben-cohen-and-jerry-greenfield-1621559.html">became friends </a> and launched Ben &amp; Jerry's, they had made a number of conversations while they were doing laps in the gym class. </p>
<img src="https://preply.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/blog-pic-22-845x321.png"><h3><strong>Ask open-ended questions</strong></h3>
<p>People like to talk about themselves. Why? Because it's the easiest subject to discuss. It's always harder to speak about something you know little about. Would you rather explain Shakespeare's influence on film and television or talk about your favourite movie? </p>
<p>If you don't want to be too pushy, you should start your conversation with simple questions. According to Alan Garner, an author of " <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Conversationally-Speaking-Increase-Personal-Effectiveness/dp/1565656296">Conversationally Speaking: Tested New Ways to Increase Your Personal and Social Effectiveness, </a>" the best way to make great small talk is to follow up simple questions with open-ended ones. </p>
<ul>
	<li>"Where are you from?" followed by "What is your hometown like? What do you like the most about it?" </li>
	<li>"What do you do?" followed by "Why did you choose that type of work? How did you enter that profession?" </li>
	<li>"Have you attended similar lectures before?" followed by "What do you think of today's presentation? </li>
</ul>
<img src="https://preply.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/92_Making-Small-Talk.png"><h3><strong>Never talk about something too personal</strong></h3>
<p>When you begin a conversation, you know almost nothing about the person. That's why an author, speaker, and blogger Gretchen Rubin <a href="https://gretchenrubin.com/happiness_project/2009/05/seven-tips-for-making-good-conversation-with-a-stranger/">suggests choosing topics </a> common to both speakers. </p>
<p>The forbidden topics are the person's health, religion, and political views. The best subjects are: </p>
<p>Just keep your chatting light and ask questions about the interests, job, or surroundings. </p>
<b>Want to find out more topics and helpful phrases to start a conversation at work? Check out our article "</b><a href="https://preply.com/en/blog/2018/06/23/10-english-small-talk-topics-for-starting-a-conversation-at-work/"><b>10 English Small Talk Topics for Starting a Conversation at Work</b></a><img src="https://preply.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Practice-Active-Listening.jpg"><b>."</b><h3><strong>Practice active listening</strong></h3>
<p><a href="https://www.smalltalkprofessional.com/blog/28-active-listening-in-conversations">Active listening </a> is a way of communication that involves consciously going into what another person is saying. Of course, all of us tune out from time to time. But if you pay attention to the speaker's words, you'll create much stronger connections. No doubt, the other person will surely notice how engaged you are. </p>
<img src="https://preply.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Put-Your-Hands-Up-Step-Away-From-the-Phone.jpg"><ul>
	<li>Try to make <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-do-i-maintain-good-eye-contact-3024392">eye contact </a> for about 60% of the time that you are listening to the other person. Besides, you can nod your head occasionally to show your interest. </li>
	<li>Never interrupt or prepare your reply while your companion is speaking. Keep in mind that the last thing a person says may change the meaning of what they've already said. </li>
	<li>Don't offer unrequested advice, suggestions or solutions. </li>
	<li>As you listen, keep an open mind as well as withhold your judgment and stereotypes. </li>
	<li>Be patient while listening, keep yourself fully present and relaxed. </li>
	<li>
<a href="https://ideas.ted.com/how-to-turn-small-talk-into-smart-conversation/">Ask questions </a> during pauses to clarify what is said. </li>
	<li>Draw attention to nonverbal behaviour to find out the hidden meaning of the speaker's words. A tone of voice, an expression on the face and other actions can tell you more than words alone. </li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>Put away your phone </strong></h3>
<img src="https://preply.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/small-talk.jpg"><p>How to do small talk in the best way? Make the person feel important! In fact, there's nothing more irritating than speaking with someone who is regularly checking their phone. </p>
<strong><i>Want to get the latest tips on improving your language skills? Subscribe to our blog updates and receive useful articles to your email every week.</i></strong><h2><strong>Look for opportunities to converse</strong></h2>
<section> <img src="https://preply.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/en.png"></section></div>

Most people hate small talk . Especially, when it comes to introverts . But whether you're bad at it, worrying that you will run out of words, or feeling awkward, you can't avoid this polite conversation about seemingly unimportant things.

5 Main Principles of Small Talk

Small talk

How to get better at small talk

Omar King's ideas are part of this journey:

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