Mastering small talk by Yulka2807 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9 en-us 2018-08-07 12:03:39 UTC 2025-05-11 19:02:00 UTC hello@padlet.com 8. languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250473940 2022-07-27 08:08:53 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250473940 10. languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250473975 2022-07-27 08:08:58 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250473975 11. TIPS ON MAKING SMALL TALK languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250474094
  • Introduce yourself and use a ‘tag line’, e.g. Hi, I’m Jules from Munich. This can get the conversation started as your colleague can ask a question about your home town or your trip.
  • When your colleague introduces himself/herself, try to repeat his/her name when you reply, or use their name later in the conversation.
  • The weather is probably the number one thing topic. The classic topics that are taboo in light conversation are sex, religion, money, and politics.
  • Break the ice with a comment about the event you’re at, its location and the weather.
  • Really listen to your colleague’s reply to ask another question. how to show greater engagement, for example by nodding their heads in conversation, saying something like “Oh, really?” or other encouraging sounds,
  • Ask open questions (What? Where?/ Why?/Who?) which require more than a one-word answer
  • Keep the information about you positive, people don’t like colleagues who are negative, depressed or who complain a lot.
  • Negative comments about another person not involved in the conversation are also not acceptable.
  • Not wise to continue talking about an issue that the other person does not seem comfortable with or interested in.
  • Use exit strategy: It was nice talking to you. I will see you later. I will let you go. 
  • Leave a positive final impression with a smile, e.g. I’ve really enjoyed talking to you. I hope we have the chance to talk again soon. It was absolute pleasure meeting you!

    • ]]>     2022-07-27 08:09:13 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250474094     15. languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250474569 2022-07-27 08:10:09 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250474569 14. languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250474690 2022-07-27 08:10:18 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250474690 16. languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250474790 2022-07-27 08:10:26 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250474790 17. languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250474836 2022-07-27 08:10:32 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250474836 18. Small talk in different cultures languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250475042 2022-07-27 08:10:56 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250475042 19. SMALL TALK PHRASES languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250475091 2022-07-27 08:11:03 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250475091 20. SMALL TALK PHRASES languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250475136 2022-07-27 08:11:07 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250475136 4. languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250480274 - Which conversation starters are mentioned?
    - What do you think of them?    ]]>     2022-07-27 08:22:56 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250480274     3. Peach vs. Coconut Cultures languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250480681 by Fons Trompenaars

    What do you think it is about?]]>     2022-07-27 08:24:08 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250480681     5.Discuss together languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250481136 2022-07-27 08:25:05 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250481136 6.True / False / Depends. languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250481611 Look at these statements and decide if you agree:
    - Small talk exists for avoiding awkwardness, for politeness, and to fill in the silence.
    - Small talk is for people who don't have time or knowledge to talk about truly meaningful important things.
    - Small talk helps to build rapport and ease communication.
    - You shouldn't talk about your problems during the small talk.
    - Small talk is a key business skill.
    - Religion is a safe topic when making small talk
    - It is rude to interrupt a conversation in order to make small talk


    ]]>     2022-07-27 08:26:11 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250481611     7. languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250481826 2022-07-27 08:26:42 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250481826 12. Let’s (small) talk! languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250508347 Choose two topics from the box and create a small talk question for each one. Try not to make the questions dull!


    ]]>     2022-07-27 09:29:17 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250508347     13. Pair up (if possible, with a person you don’t know very well) and ask your partner your questions from the previous exercise. After each answer, ask at least one follow-up question. Try to keep the conversation going for as long as you can. languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250508641 2022-07-27 09:30:13 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250508641 9. languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250511954 2022-07-27 09:38:01 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250511954 21. You are going to watch the video on the most common mistakes you might make when small talking. Watch it and discuss the questions below: languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250512097
  • What went wrong?
  • Have you ever been in similar situations? 
  • How would you behave in that kind of situation?

    • ]]>     2022-07-27 09:38:32 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250512097     1. Discussion languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250514315 - What do you think small talk is?
    - When do we use small talk?
    - How helpful is it at the workplace?
    - Have you ever had a small talk at your meeting with clients?    ]]>     2022-07-27 09:45:32 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250514315     22. Explain these tips on how to make small talk. languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250514782 2022-07-27 09:47:13 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250514782 23. languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250516243 2022-07-27 09:51:12 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250516243 2. languagepath2017 https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250516267 Which technique is mentioned? Describe it ]]> 2022-07-27 09:51:17 UTC https://padlet.com/languagepath2017/l0939bifmpt9/wish/2250516267