binary suns Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 what is small talk???? I don't understand... Link to post Share on other sites
Starry Sky Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 I'd define it as very, very casual conversation. Sticking to light topics and not really discussing anything worthwhile. Somewhat like simple discussions you'd have with a stranger while waiting in line for something. Basic stuff. Extremely uninteresting in my opinion. Link to post Share on other sites
binary suns Posted April 30, 2016 Author Share Posted April 30, 2016 heh, all those words are just as confusing to me as "small talk" Link to post Share on other sites
Spud Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 Best described by examples: "How's the weather?""So what are you doing for the weekend?" "How was your day?" "What did you have for breakfast/lunch/dinner?" Sometimes accompanied by awkwardness and boredom, or the feeling of wanting to escape the conversation because of how awkward/boring it is. Usually used for talking over food or to strangers. Never has any substance or value. Link to post Share on other sites
m4rble Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 what is small talk????Awkward Link to post Share on other sites
Rhi-Zhuk Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 I suppose I'd define it simply as perhaps a Vulcan would. Talk that has no logical purpose, no "end" to accomplish aside from the fact that it can be a good ice breaker for some people, and help others be more at ease. Link to post Share on other sites
sindi Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 Something vapid and pointless with the sole purpose of wasting time or demonstrating that you're at least in somewhat friendly terms with each other. Link to post Share on other sites
sindi Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 Yesterday I was at a "tea party" (or whatever) and the small talk between the mostly middle aged ladies was downright sickening. Like talking about your sibling's children, whom no-one in the group has ever heard or cared about before, and not even about anything exceptional in their lives, but basically mentioning that they exist and do trivial stuff. You start to feel misanthropic for less! Link to post Share on other sites
Skycaptain Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 Small talk is time filling chatter about harmless subjects, such as the weather, and polite comments regarding the host, event et al. Basically the gentle art of saying a lot without saying anything, and all protagonists will have forgotten about five minutes later on Link to post Share on other sites
Grace Barton Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 I usually refer to small talk as making polite conversation, such as asking how someone's doing, what they've been up to, do they have any plans for the weekend or any holidays booked, etc. The kind of stuff you'd expect to ask someone about themselves before moving on to any more serious topics you might want to discuss. Link to post Share on other sites
m4rble Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 I've learned through a communications course that small talk actually does serve a purpose of forming and maintaining relationships. I realize that's it's not entirely shallow and does serve a function. I can't say I really enjoy it though. Link to post Share on other sites
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