You'll always have something to say

Ciao a tutti!

Daniel Tanner here and welcome back to ChatBubble the weekly newsletter that helps Italian professionals communicate more effectively with their English speaking colleagues and clients. 💼 

Let’s get started….

Today, let's dive into the wonderful world of small talk (=short conversations, usually about light and superficial topics). Whether you're mingling at a conference, catching up in the break room, or networking at a company event, mastering the art of small talk is essential for building relationships with your international colleagues and clients.

To help you feel more at ease during these interactions, here are 8 must-have phrases you can add to your repertoire:

1. "How's it going?"

   This classic opener is friendly and informal, perfect for starting a conversation on a positive note. I personally find myself using this much more commonly than “How are you?”.

2. "Nice weather we're having, isn't it?"

   Weather talk is a universal icebreaker (especially if you’re British 🤣 ) and can lead to further conversation about outdoor activities or upcoming plans.

3. "Did you have a good weekend?"

   This question shows genuine interest in the other person's well-being and provides an opportunity to share weekend anecdotes.

4. "Have you been here long?"

   Use this to gauge how long someone has been with the company or at the event, which can lead to discussions about experiences or common interests.

5. "What do you think of [current event or topic]?"

   Bringing up a relevant news story or industry topic demonstrates your awareness and invites the other person to share their thoughts.

6. "Do you have any exciting plans coming up?"

   This question opens the door to discussing hobbies, travel, or upcoming events, helping to build a personal connection.

7. "How was your journey into work today?"

   Acknowledging the commute can lead to shared experiences or discussions about local transportation.

8. "Do you have any recommendations for places to eat around here?"

   Food is a universal topic of interest, and asking for recommendations can lead to lively discussions about local cuisine.

Now, let's put these phrases into practice with a sample dialogue.

Time to practice!

That’s right, it’s over to you. Complete the conversation below with the small talk phrases you’ve just seen.

When you’ve finished, reply to this email with the word “Finished!”, and I’ll send you the answers.

You: Hey there! 1. ………………………….

Your colleague: Hey! Not bad, thanks for asking. How about you?

You: Great, thanks! 2. ………………………….

Your colleague: Yeah, it's been lovely lately. Makes the commute a bit more enjoyable, doesn't it?

You: Definitely! Anyway, 3. ………………………….

Your colleague: Oh, about a year now. Time flies, doesn't it?

You: It sure does! By the way, 4. ………………………….

Your colleague: Well, there's this new restaurant downtown that I've been meaning to try...

(You discover that your colleague is actually the CEO and you get promoted immediately for having awesome English small talk skills!)

Tell me more

Do you want to know more about how to become a small talk master? Check out this video from Harvard Business Review and take your skills to the next level.

Reply to this email with 3 interesting facts or ideas from the video that you found interesting or helpful. I can’t wait to hear from you! ✉️ 

That's all for this edition! If you have any questions or topics you'd like me to cover in future newsletters, feel free to reach out.

Grazie mille and see you next time!

Images, material and platforms courtesy of the BBC, mindgames.com and goodnewsnetwork.com

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