HOW TO MAKE SMALL TALK// Secondary Research

WHO?
- Most common amongst people who do not know each-other well.
- Adults are expected to make small talk with acquaintances as part of normal social etiquette.
-Social acquaintances, meeting mutual friends or out with new date.
-Business partners/ acquaintances.

WHAT?
- Most Common small talk topic is the weather...
- Shortly followed by current events, that are considered less controversial... who won football/ xfactor.
- Can be situational, for example when stuck in a queue small talk will start regarding the queue and why it is so long.
- 'Society' deems it unacceptable to make small talk about more controversial topics like religion or politics.

WHEN?
- Small talk is most common for people who have only just met or who have seen each-other for the first time in a day.
- Small talk emerges when two or more people have little to say to each-other but would rather avoid awkwardness. Western society demands constant social interaction, leaving little time for oneself.


WHERE?
- Most commonly occurs in locations where people have to wait for something.
- Or in social settings where people are meeting for the first time.
- In places where two or more people are brought together in a public setting, waiting rooms, queues, trains, aeroplanes, buses/ couches, stadiums, an so on.
- In places where two or more people are brought together in a private setting, first dates, business meetings, parties, social gatherings.

WHY?
-To  break an 'uncomfortable silence'.
-To be polite in social situations.
-To avoid being labelled as an 'outsider'.
-As an introduction, to test water before moving on to more captivating discussion.
-Initiating conversation gets peoples adrenaline pumping which releases anxiety caused by natural social awkwardness.
-To create opportunity and network with other individuals.

HOW?
-Ask questions, allow other party to do an equal amount talking.
-Listen carefully. Use previous topics to engage
-Ask name, repeat name as much as possible to remember it. People consider it respectful and charming if you remember their names.
-Revisit previous topics to show you share some interests.
-Ask open ended questions that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no answer.
-Talk about common ground, things you share and have in common.
-Use techniques like 'the detective';
                           You: "How is the rain effecting you?"
                           Her: "I haven't been able to take the dog on a decent walk in a week."
                           You: "I have a miniature dachshund named Beau. Tell me about your dog."

-Set limits, do not 'open-up' as it were. Instead focus on points of popular interest.
-Put you heart into the conversation. 'Listening out loud' is a technique which is used to make sure others know that you are taking interest. Using 'verbal cues' like 'uh-huh'/'hmm'.
-Be confident when talking to others. Good confidence delivers good conversational practice.
-Make sure you experience new things all the time, this will work as good ammo for conversation.

http://www.ou.edu/class/bc2813/ConversationTips/MasteringSmallTalk.htm
http://www.peopleskillsdecoded.com/how-to-make-small-talk/
http://www.ehow.com/how_10812_make-small-talk.html
http://www.englishclub.com/speaking/small-talk_wh.htm
http://uk.askmen.com/money/how_to_60/62_how_to.html
http://www.redbookmag.com/recipes-home/how-to-make-small-talk