American speech is often characterized by:
- Talking with our hands
- Interrupting each other frequently
- Commenting on our surroundings
- Asking opinions
- Small talk to get the conversation started
Small talk is our way of starting a conversation in the following situations:
- Running into an acquaintance
- Meeting someone for the first time
- Waiting in public places
Small talk is usually not about anything particularly important, and it is simply meant to acknowledge the other people around you or as an introduction to a deeper conversation.
Activities
Read the following exercises that feature small talk. Where do you think these people are? What might be the circumstances?
- It’s really cold out here!
- I know, I’m ready for spring to start! Have you been waiting long?
- Nearly twenty minutes.
- This place seems popular.
- It is! I come here every Saturday.
- Oh neat! Have you had the fries here?
- Do you know the host(s)?
- I just came with my roommate. I think she’s friends with Steve.
- I heard Steve is in Alpha Delta Phi.
- Have you taken a class with this professor before?
- Yeah, I took his European history class. It was a lot of fun, he’s a great teacher!
- Glad to hear it. Are you a history major?
- Nah, I just enjoy taking this professor’s classes.
- Is he a tough grader?
- Yea, but he’s fair about it. He’ll always give you chances to rewrite your papers.