POLI2aula01_smalltalk

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SMALL TALK 
Sometimes a conversation is small talk and some times a conversation is 
about important matters, such as business. "Small talk" is an American slang 
term. It means that the conversation is about matters that are not very 
important. When conversing with your new friend, it is customary to give 
information about your family, your work, or you will talk about any matter 
that is important to you and your new friend. 
Talking about the 
weather 
 Beautiful day, isn't it? 
 Can you believe all of this rain we've been having? 
 It sure would be nice to be in Hawaii right about 
now. 
 I hear they're calling for thunderstorms all 
weekend. 
 We couldn't ask for a nicer day, could we? 
 How about this weather? 
 Did you order this sunshine? 
 Kind of chilly this morning, isn’t it? 
 What a beautiful morning. A bit windy, but 
beautiful. 
 It’s been raining for weeks. Is this never going to 
end? 
Talking about 
current events 
 Did you catch the news today? 
 What do you think about this transit strike? 
 I heard on the radio today that they are finally 
going to start building the new bridge. 
At the office 
 Looking forward to the weekend? 
 I can't believe how busy/quiet we are today, can 
you? 
 Has it been a long week? 
 What do you think of the new computers? 
At a social event 
 So, how do you know Justin? 
 Have you tried the cabbage rolls that Sandy made? 
 Are you enjoying yourself? 
 It looks like you could use another drink. 
 Pretty nice place, huh? 
Out for a walk 
 How old's your baby? 
 What's your puppy's name? 
 How do you like the new park? 
 Nice day to be outside, isn't it? 
Waiting 
somewhere 
 I didn't think it would be so busy today. 
 You look like you've got your hands full (with 
children or goods). 
 The bus must be running late today. 
 It looks like we are going to be here a while, huh? 
 
 
 I'll have to remember not to come here on 
Mondays. 
 How long have you been waiting? 
Weekend 
 
 How did you spend the weekend? 
 Did you do anything special? 
 How was your weekend? 
Family 
 
 A: How’s Carol doing? I haven’t seen her for ages. 
 B: Oh, she’s fine. Just got a job with the Unilever. 
 A: That’s great news. We should get together one 
of these days. Annie would love to see you both, 
too. 
 B: Sure. That’d be great. … 
 How are the kids? 
 Give my regards to your husband. 
 Why don’t you come over for dinner one of these 
days? 
Sports 
 
 A: Did you see the game last night? 
 B: No, I missed it. Was it a good game? 
Films 
 
 A: Have you seen the Corpse Bride? We went to see 
it last night. 
 B: How was it? 
 A: Mark thought it was hilarious, but I was a bit 
disappointed. 
 You should definitely go for it. 
 You must see that! 
People 
 
 Have you heard? Monica is getting married. 
 Don’t tell anyone, but apparently Jennifer is going 
to be promoted. 
Hobbies / Free 
Time 
 What do you like doing in your free time? 
 Can you play tennis / golf / soccer / etc.? 
 What kind of films / food / vacations do you enjoy? 
 What do you do on weekends / Saturdays? 
Personal 
Information 
 
 What's your name? Peter. 
 Where are you from? / Where do you come from? 
I'm from ... I come from ... 
 What's your surname / family name? Smith. 
 What's your first name? Tom. 
 What's your address? 7865 NW Sweet Street 
 Where do you live? I live in San Diego. 
 What's your (tele)phone number? 209-786-
9845 
 How old are you? Twenty-five. I'm twenty-five 
years old. 
 When / Where were you born? I was born in 1961 / 
 
 
To make questions sound more polite we normally use opening expressions like these 
before the question! 
I wonder if you could tell me what you do in your spare time? 
 Would you mind telling me what you're studying at the PolyU? 
 I'd like to know where you were born. 
 Something else I'd like to know is which pop star you like to listen to. 
Notice the way the questions are asked above. The introductory phrases change the 
way the question words are asked. The direct questions have now become more polite and 
conversational. Also notice the use of contractions: I'd; you're. This is normal in social English. 
To make questions sound more polite we normally use opening expressions like these 
before the question! 
 I wonder if you could tell me what you do in your spare time? 
 Would you mind telling me what you're studying at the PolyU? 
 I'd like to know where you were born. 
 Something else I'd like to know is which pop star you like to listen to. 
Notice the way the questions are asked above. The introductory phrases change the 
way the question words are asked. The direct questions have now become more polite 
and conversational. Also notice the use of contractions: I'd; you're. This is normal in 
social English. 
8.1.1 OPENING EXPRESSIONS 
Sometimes we may want additional information if we don't get enough information right 
away or you want to extend the conversation further. Then we use techniques like 
these! 
Could you tell me a bit more about...? 
Sorry, but I'd like to know some more about... 
I didn't quite follow what you said about... (asking for clarification) 
Sorry to press you, but could you tell me...? (pushing for more information) 
That's interesting. Could you explain further? 
 
8.1.2 ANSWERING QUESTIONS 
Seattle. 
 Are you married? / What's your marital status? I'm 
single. 
 What do you do? / What's your job? I'm a librarian. 
 Have you got a car / job / house / etc.? Yes, I've 
got a good job. 
 Have you got any children / friends / books / etc.? 
Yes, I've got three children - two boys and a 
daughter. 
 Can you play tennis / golf / football / etc.? Yes, I 
can play golf. 
 Can you speak English / French / Japanese / etc.? 
No, I can't speak Japanese. 
 
 
 
Before people answer a question they often use phrases like these to introduce the 
answer. These phrases are also good to give you time to think of what to say: 
Well, let me see.. / Well now... / Oh, let me think for a moment... 
That's an interesting question... 
 
Sometimes, though, you may want to avoid answering altogether. Then we use 
phrases like these: 
I'm sorry: I'm not really sure./ I can't tell you off-hand, I'm afraid. 
I'm terribly sorry, I really don't know./ I've no idea, I'm afraid. 
I can't answer that one, but I'll tell you where you can find out... 
I'd rather not answer that, if you don't mind. 
I'm very sorry but I don't like answering personal questions. 
 
DIALOGUE SITUATION: SMALL TALK PRACTICE 1: AT A BUS STOP 
Woman: We couldn't ask for a better day, could we? 
Man: I know. There isn't a cloud in the sky. I love this time of year. 
Woman: Me too. The cherry blossoms are beautiful, aren't they? 
Man: They sure are. But I heard they are calling for rain all weekend. 
Woman: Correction: Ah, this bus seems to be running late. How long have you been 
waiting? 
Man: I've been here for at least fifteen minutes now. 
Woman: Here comes a bus now. 
Man: Oh good. Wait, that's not the bus we want. That bus goes downtown. 
Woman: Well, it looks like we'll be waiting a little longer. I'll use this time to catch up on 
my reading. 
Man: I love reading. Right now I'm reading a Stephen King book. Do you like Stephen 
King? 
Woman: Not really. 
Man: Oh, here's our bus. 
Woman: Oh great. I thought it would never come. Well, have a nice day. 
Man: You too. 
 
DIALOGUE SITUATION: SMALL TALK PRACTICE 2: AT THE OFFICE 
Woman: Hi there. 
Man: I haven't seen you around here before. Have you worked here long? 
Woman: No, I've only been here a few months. I work in the Human Resources 
Department. 
Man: I'm in Sales. 
Woman: Sales sounds like an interesting job. 
Man: It's okay. 
Woman: It's been a really hectic week. 
Man: Tell me about it! At least it's supposed to be a nice weekend. 
Woman: Yes, I've heard that they are calling for blue skies. 
Man: Say, did you happen to catch the game last night?Woman: No, I was working late. 
Man: It was a great game. We won in overtime. 
Woman: Actually, I don't even know who was playing. I don't really follow sports. 
Man: Oh. Well, I think I'll be heading home early today. It looks like it might snow. 
Woman: I know. I can't believe all of this cold weather. Hopefully Spring will come 
soon. 
Man: I can't wait until Spring. 
Woman: Me neither!