Small talk is all about general every day things that most people could participate in. Most conversations required that you be able to talk to people in a crowd that you don’t know much about. These conversations would be something you would use to fill time or start a more general conversation getting to know someone.
An example is to talk about things that are neutral. Stay away from politics or religion because there are many opposing viewpoints that could cause you to butt heads. Instead keep things neutral so the conversation keeps going.
This is a topic that is near and dear to the hearts of my readers, researchers, and website visitors. So much so that one of them were kind enough to share their own personal opinions. I don’t claim to be the best interviewer in the world, but I do promise some good, raw, and honest answers from normal people like you and me. I do my best to NOT filter these answers, except for the bad words and hateful speech.
With that little blurb out of the way, let’s dive right into the juicy bits of (potentially) life-changing insights.
Current Topic: Topics For Small Talk
‘R’ = Richard N. Stephenson (me!)
‘I’ = Interviewee (anonymous by request unless otherwise noted)
R: What would someone really get out of this?
I: You wouldn’t have to get too personal when small talk is taking place. It helps pass the time and ease tension with certain people. It can become an opportunity to become friends with a person and lead to deeper conversation.
R: Assume the change from this subject is super-important, how could it help someone change their life?
I: If someone has trouble with finding topics for small talk, they need to try and learn about more general things. In doing so, they may open up many more possibilities through social interaction.
R: Tell me about your thoughts on how this helps folks be better in life?
I: A person can become better with topics for small talk. They can be more social. They also can be more comfortable in maybe sometimes awkward situations.
R: Describe the perfect person that is a shining example of this topic, in your opinion.
I: I find teachers seem to be fairly well-rounded when it comes to topics of discussion. They always seem to have an anecdote or some piece of advice. I imagine because of the nature of their job they are required to be able to talk at a fairly consistent pace.
R: In a few sentences, describe who’s just plain no good when it comes to this topic.
I: Simply the person who doesn’t acknowledge the many possibilities there are for small talk. If that person never sees any possibilities for small talk, they either need to change how they look at the world — or small talk, for a less ambitious goal — or get out in the world where that small talk possibility exists. You won’t have small talk sitting at home all day. You won’t have small talk if you look to make it happen–it is never a purposeful thing. Therefore, the person who is worst at it is the person who never gives him or herself the chance to have it.
R: Think of your daily routine – how does this topic fit into the overall scheme of things?
I: I try to stay up to date on current events. I watch the news and pay attention to sports. I also keep updated on the weather.
R: Can you let us know when you think a good time to pay attention to this subject is?
I: An example could be going out to the store. You can have a variety of topics known as you interact with people. Throughout these interactions small talk can be part of your life.
R: When is a time you feel this topic needs to be set aside or not even considered?
I: When a family member has died recently. When you are clearly stressed about certain situations that may be taking place in your life. Also, when two people could be getting divorced and are going through mediation.
R: If you can to name a place where this topic works really well, where would that be?
I: The best places to make topics for small talk would be grocery stores, farmers markets, or other places in public where you may have to use small talk. Topics you can talk about is the weather outside, the holidays coming up or various aspects of your day. This would be the best place and topics to make small talk.
R: Describe the worst place to bring this subject into your life.
I: Around people who gossip, especially if the small talk is of personal nature. Also it wouldn’t be smart to discuss your friends, family, or work relationships because if you assume that the person your speaking to will withhold private information, you have just opened yourself up to a potential social catastrophe.
R: Who do you think could use some help with this subject?
I: Counseling groups and non-profit groups could use help with small talk. They can use it to help people. It would be beneficial.
R: Give me an example of something we can do to discover more about this subject.
I: I think my best advice would be to be prepared in advance whenever possible. When you see an interesting story online, in a magazine, or hear an interesting news story, try to keep it in mind. That way when you find yourself in a situation where you need to make small talk you have some topics on-hand.
R: What is the absolutely most dangeours and bad thing someone should stay away from related to this topic?
I: A person should avoid talking politics because the conversation may become argumentative. Sexual orientation should be avoided because you may be talking with someone who does not share your views. You should not small talk about weight because it is a sensitive topic.
R: How would you describe a practical step we could take today to get more done on this topic?
I: Someone that a person can do today to make topics for small talk a bigger part of their lives is to read the newspaper, or watch the news. The media and current events are what most people have in common. If the person can reference something that happened in the news in the last few days, they will have much more to talk about with other people they may not be familiar with.
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Thank you for reading this personal journey into becoming a better person and having a better future ahead of you. I hope you enjoyed this interview conversation and found golden nuggets you can immediately apply to your daily life.
If you’re interested in discovering how to use small talk to succeed at work, transform your introversion into a useful skill, and handle those annoying coworkers, then check out Just Say Something!.
Please feel free to share your thoughts, comments, or personal life-changing wisdom below.