Why You Should Use Small Talk More Often
A recent study suggests that these casual conversations can be more valuable than you might think.
Definition of ‘Small Talk’ from the Cambridge English Dictionary:
Conversation about things that are not important, often between people who do not know each other well.
Whenever I meet someone for the first time and speak to them — it could be a new work colleague, a cashier at a shop, a stranger on the bus, or even a blind date — there’s normally a five-minute window after I’ve spoken to them that the futility of small talk strikes me. I’m left slightly bemused at the seemingly pointless pleasantries that we humans share when we don’t know one another well enough to be able to talk about anything deeper.
“The weather’s been nice hasn’t it!” [Remembers it’s been raining for the past three days] “I mean it’s been raining, but it’s still been kind of…warm?”
“Yeah, warm…warm rain, you’re right not too bad. Could be better, could be worse.”
“Yes definitely. Could be better, could be worse.”
“How are you doing today?”
