Small talk

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2019-01-21

Summary 

What should you talk about when you meet someone for the first time? Here's a phrase to learn that describes making informal conversation about not much. It's a great way to break the ice but unfortunately it's something Feifei couldn't do on her blind date. Find out why and learn more about the expression in this programme.

Transcript

Feifei
Hello. This is The English We Speak. This is Rob...

Rob
And this is Feifei. So, Feifei, how did the blind date go?

Feifei
Not great – a disaster in fact.

Rob
Oh no. Why didn't you just follow my advice?

Feifei
I did! Wear something nice, turn up late and make small talk.

Rob
Yes, make small talk. Exactly.

Feifei
Well, when I started making small talk, the guy looked at me in a strange way and then walked off.

Rob
Oh no. What did you say?

Feifei
Things like 'hi', 'good', 'yes', 'no', 'great' – small words.

Rob
But no sentences? I think you've got the wrong end of the stick here – I mean you've misunderstood – making small talk means making informal conversation about unimportant things. If you're meeting someone for the first time, it's a good way to make them feel relaxed – you know, break the ice.

Feifei
Right! Make 'small' conversation.

Rob
I guess we should hear some examples…

Examples
I didn't know anybody at my cousin's wedding so I tried to make small talk with the guests.

I'm shy and not very good at small talk. That's why I hate going to parties.

At the office party, we all had to stand around making small talk, but all I really wanted to do was go home!

Feifei
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. And we're learning about the expression 'small talk' – that's informal conversation which is meant to make people feel more relaxed and stops any embarrassing silence. Actually, Rob, I do know about small talk. It's just that…

Rob
So, why didn't you say?

Feifei
Well, I was going to tell you that…

Rob
You'll never get a boyfriend if you don't speak up, Feifei! You really need to talk more.

Feifei
Rob.

Rob
Yes?

Feifei
What I was trying to say was, I did not have time for small talk because my date would not stop talking. He was rude, arrogant and wouldn't let me get a word in edgeways! Now, who does that remind me of?!

Rob
Err... Nice weather for the time of year, don't you think?

Feifei
It's a bit late for small talk now, Rob. You've said far too much.

Rob
Oh.

Feifei
Bye bye!

Rob
Bye!