충북대학교신문방송사

Silence towards strangers, depending on the situation, can be rude in the west, whereas in some societies it is considered respectful. Because of that, English speakers have developed “small talk”. This is a really important topic, especially if you want to travel abroad. The first thing to keep in mind about small talk is that it should always be positive and impersonal. For example, when I meet strangers on the street and they immediately ask me personal questions, it makes me feel suspicious. With that in mind, here are some “standard topics” that westerners usually talk about with strangers when they are waiting in a doctor’s office, in an elevator, or in line for something.
The weather ? it is very common to discuss the weather. It is the most basic topic to ask about because it is easy. The chance of offending someone is very small. You can ask someone about the forecast for example. “Do you know if it’s going to…rain/get colder/get hotter/snow?”
News ? a lot of people like to talk about the most recent events. This could be related to local sports teams, local events like a concert, or new movies. Remember to avoid controversial topics like politics.
  Current situations ? if you are in line at a bank, you can talk about how long you have been coming to the bank, or about little things like the furniture in the waiting room. Never ask a stranger personal questions about how much money they make.
General guidelines ? It is ok to compliment someone’s clothing or jewelry, but avoid talking about their body. Even saying something positive could be considered too personal. Also, NEVER tell someone that he/she looks fat or tired. You might get punched! Nobody wants to hear negative things like that, especially someone they do not know well. Topics that you should never bring up with a stranger are: money, salary, someone’s body (good or bad), religion, politics, or other private matters.
  If you practice these guidelines, then you will be on your way to mastering English small talk. Who knows, maybe you will become so good at it that you make some new friends! If you would like more information about small talk in English, visit this helpful webpage: http://www.englishclub.com/speaking/small-talk.htm. Try to practice with a foreigner you meet around town. Remember, the rudest thing you can do is to be shy and say nothing at all if someone wants to have some small talk with you.

by David Sparks