Small talk refers to short, light, and informal conversations people have to break the ice, build relationships, or make others feel comfortable. In business, small talk is more than just chit-chat; it is a professional skill that helps you connect with colleagues, clients, and business partners.
When done well, small talk can create trust, foster collaboration, and even open doors to new opportunities.
Builds Rapport: Small talk helps create a friendly and cooperative environment.
Breaks the Ice: It makes initial meetings less formal and more comfortable.
Opens Opportunities: Through informal conversation, you might discover common interests or mutual business needs.
Supports Networking: Small talk is often the first step in professional networking.
Shows Emotional Intelligence: Being able to talk comfortably with others demonstrates empathy, confidence, and social awareness.
There are several key elements and skills involved in making effective small talk in business contexts:
Starting the Conversation: How to open a dialogue naturally.
Choosing Appropriate Topics: What to talk about (and what to avoid).
Polite Questions: Using questions to show interest and keep the conversation going.
Active Listening: Showing that you care about the other person’s answers.
Building Rapport: Making the other person feel comfortable and valued.
Transitioning to Business: How to move smoothly from small talk to the main purpose of your meeting.
Let’s explore each of these elements with useful language, phrases, and cultural tips.
A good conversation often starts with a friendly and polite opener. Here are some common business English expressions to begin a conversation:
How are you today?
How was your journey?
It’s great to see you.
How has your week been so far?
I hope you didn’t have any trouble finding the place.
Thank you for joining us today.
Definitions:
Opener /ˈəʊpənər/: The first thing you say to begin a conversation.
Break the ice: To do or say something to relieve tension and get conversation going in a social setting.
Example Dialogue:
A: Good morning, Sarah! How are you today?
B: Good morning, Mark. I’m well, thank you. How about you?
Tip: Smile and make eye contact. This simple body language makes your small talk more genuine.
Small talk topics in business should be friendly, neutral, and unlikely to cause offense.
Popular topics include:
The weather
Recent events (non-political, non-controversial)
Travel or commute
Company events
Industry news (general)
Sports (if you know your partner enjoys it)
Food, coffee, or lunch plans
Topics to avoid:
Politics or religion
Personal finances or salaries
Very personal questions (about family, relationships, health, etc.)
Negative topics or gossip
Vocabulary:
Neutral topic: A subject that is safe and unlikely to offend anyone.
Controversial: Likely to cause argument or disagreement.
Example:
“Did you catch the game last night?”
“It looks like we’re finally getting some sunshine this week.”
Tip: If you’re not sure if a topic is appropriate, keep it general and positive.
Questions are a powerful tool for making connections. They show you are interested and help keep the conversation flowing. In business, polite questions are especially important.
Polite question forms:
How was your weekend?
Did you do anything interesting recently?
What brings you to this event?
Have you been working on any new projects lately?
Are you enjoying the conference so far?
Definitions:
Polite question: A question phrased in a way that is respectful and considerate.
Flowing conversation: A conversation that moves smoothly, without awkward pauses.
Example Dialogue:
A: Did you have a good journey here?
B: Yes, it was smooth, thank you. And you?
Tip: Ask open questions (questions that require more than a yes/no answer) to encourage more discussion.
Active listening is about more than just hearing words—it’s showing the speaker that you care about what they’re saying.
Active listening strategies:
Make eye contact.
Nod your head or use facial expressions.
Use small phrases to show you’re listening:
I see.
That sounds interesting.
Really?
Oh, I didn’t know that.
That must be exciting.
Repeat or paraphrase what the other person said:
So, you work in marketing?
You mentioned you just started a new project?
Vocabulary:
Engaged response: A reply that shows you are paying attention and care about the conversation.
Paraphrase: To repeat what someone said using your own words.
Example:
A: I just moved here from Berlin for work.
B: Oh, you’ve just relocated from Berlin? That must be a big change!
Tip: Avoid distractions. Put away your phone or laptop during small talk.
Rapport means a good, friendly connection with someone. In business, building rapport makes people more likely to trust and work with you.
How to build rapport:
Find common ground (shared interests, experiences, or goals).
Show genuine curiosity about the other person’s opinions and background.
Be positive and encouraging.
Use their name in conversation (not too often, but enough to show attentiveness).
Vocabulary:
Rapport /ræˈpɔːr/: A friendly, harmonious relationship.
Common ground: Shared interests or beliefs.
Example:
A: I also started my career in finance!
B: Really? It’s great to meet someone with a similar background.
Tip: Don’t force rapport—let it develop naturally through real interest and respect.
At some point, you’ll want to move from informal small talk to the main business topic. This transition should feel smooth and natural.
Phrases to transition:
Well, I suppose we should get started.
Shall we begin with today’s agenda?
Thanks for sharing. Now, about our meeting today…
I’m glad we could catch up. Let’s move on to the main topic.
Vocabulary:
Transition: To move smoothly from one topic to another.
Agenda: The list of items to be discussed in a meeting.
Below are some essential words and phrases, with clear definitions and examples:
Break the ice: To start a conversation in a relaxed way with someone you don’t know well.
Example: “Asking about the weather is a great way to break the ice.”
Get to know: To learn more about someone over time.
Example: “It’s important to get to know your colleagues.”
Find common ground: To discover things you have in common.
Example: “We quickly found common ground in our love of travel.”
Steer the conversation: To guide the topic in a certain direction.
Example: “She skillfully steered the conversation towards business.”
Chit-chat: Informal, light conversation.
Example: “We had some chit-chat before the meeting started.”
Networking: Making and maintaining professional contacts.
Example: “Networking is essential for career growth.”
Example dialogue using vocabulary:
A: So, what brings you to this conference?
B: I’m here for the workshops—and of course, to do some networking!
A: Great, me too. It’s always good to get to know others in the industry.
Business is international, so it’s important to be aware of cultural differences in small talk:
In the United States, people often start with “How are you?” and may talk about sports or the weather.
In the UK, small talk about the weather is very common, and politeness is highly valued.
In Japan, it’s respectful to wait for your host to start the conversation, and business cards may be exchanged.
In Germany, small talk tends to be brief; getting straight to business is more usual.
In the Middle East, it’s polite to ask about family and well-being, but not too personally unless you know the person well.
Definitions:
Host: The person who organizes or leads a meeting or event.
Politeness: Behavior that is respectful and considerate of other people.
Tip: When in doubt, listen first. Notice how others make small talk and follow their lead.
If you feel nervous about making small talk, try these strategies:
Prepare topics ahead of time (weather, recent business news, or the event itself).
Practice active listening—focus on the other person and ask follow-up questions.
Use open body language: Smile, nod, and make eye contact.
Have a go-to question: For example, “What are you working on at the moment?” or “How did you get into your field?”
Vocabulary:
Reserved: Someone who is quiet or shy and does not share feelings or thoughts easily.
Follow-up question: A question you ask after someone has answered, to get more information.
Let’s look at a sample small talk exchange between colleagues meeting at a business conference:
Dialogue 1: At a Conference
Anna: Hello! I don’t think we’ve met before. I’m Anna from GreenTech.
James: Hi Anna, I’m James from DigiSolutions. Is this your first time at this conference?
Anna: Yes, it is. It’s a great opportunity to network, isn’t it?
James: Absolutely. Have you attended any interesting sessions yet?
Anna: Yes, I found the marketing workshop really useful. How about you?
Dialogue 2: Before a Meeting
Carla: Good afternoon, John. How’s your week been so far?
John: Good afternoon, Carla. It’s been quite busy, actually. We’re launching a new product next week.
Carla: That sounds exciting. Is everything ready for the launch?
John: Almost. We’re just finalizing the marketing materials.
Analysis:
Notice how each conversation starts with a greeting and a friendly question, moves to a shared topic, and uses active listening phrases (“Absolutely,” “That sounds exciting”).
Phrases to show you are listening:
“I see what you mean.”
“That’s interesting.”
“Really? Tell me more.”
“Wow, that must be challenging.”
“I understand.”
Definitions:
Challenging: Difficult, but interesting and motivating.
Tell me more: An invitation for the other person to continue speaking or add detail.
Technique:
When someone shares something, respond with an active listening phrase and then ask a related question.
Example:
A: I’ve just moved to Amsterdam for work.
B: Really? That’s a big move. How are you finding the city so far?
In business, trust is the foundation for all relationships. Small talk helps to establish trust by:
Showing you care about the person, not just the work.
Creating shared experiences (even if brief).
Demonstrating respect and attentiveness.
Vocabulary:
Trust: Confidence in the honesty, ability, and reliability of someone.
Tip: Remember, small talk doesn’t need to be deep or complicated. Even simple, polite exchanges can go a long way.
1. Start a Conversation:
Imagine you are at a networking event. Write 3 different openers you could use.
2. Find Common Ground:
Pair up and discuss a topic until you find something in common (e.g., favorite food, travel destination, or industry challenge).
3. Active Listening Practice:
With a partner, share a story about your week. The other person should practice responding with active listening phrases.
4. Transition Practice:
Role-play moving from small talk to business:
“It’s been great chatting. Shall we get started on the agenda?”
Q1: What if I don’t know what to say?
A: Start with something simple and relevant, such as the event, the weather, or the journey. Use open-ended questions to keep the conversation going.
Q2: Is it okay to talk about family or personal life?
A: It depends on the culture and your relationship with the person. In some countries, it is normal, but in others, it is too personal for business contexts.
Q3: How do I politely end small talk?
A: Use a positive phrase to signal the change:
“It was great talking with you. Shall we get started?”
“Thanks for sharing. Let’s move on to the main topic.”
For B2 business learners, using phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions can make your small talk sound more natural.
Catch up (with someone): To update each other on recent news.
Example: “Let’s catch up over coffee next week.”
Run into (someone): To meet someone unexpectedly.
Example: “I ran into our old manager at the trade fair.”
Drop by: To visit informally.
Example: “Feel free to drop by my office anytime.”
Bring up (a topic): To start talking about something.
Example: “She brought up the new project during lunch.”
Fill (someone) in: To give someone information they missed.
Example: “Can you fill me in on the latest updates?”
Definitions:
Trade fair: A large event where businesses show their products and services.
Tip: Use these expressions when you feel comfortable—they add color and friendliness to your speech.
Did I start the conversation with a friendly greeting?
Did I ask polite and open questions?
Did I listen actively and respond with interest?
Did I avoid controversial or too personal topics?
Did I transition smoothly to business when the time was right?
Small talk in business isn’t just about passing the time—it’s a key skill for building strong working relationships, making a positive impression, and opening the door to collaboration and opportunity.
By practicing the strategies, vocabulary, and expressions in this lesson, you’ll be able to start conversations with confidence, keep them going naturally, and leave others with a great impression of your professionalism and friendliness.
Remember, the best small talk is genuine and respectful. With regular practice, these skills will soon feel natural in every business situation.
Prepare a short script for a business event. Practice greeting, asking a question, showing interest, and transitioning to business. Record and review for clarity, tone, and professionalism.