Hello Advanced English learners, welcome back. In our community this week,
we talked about ways of having an authentic and local experience while traveling but still
being able to have those familiar experiences too, such as frequenting your local Starbucks
but also being able to try new and different things while in a different country. It was
a fantastic discussion and if you’d like to take part in those, I’d encourage you to join
our community, Explearning Academy. Sign up at academy.explearning.co We’d love to have you!
Have you ever been in a situation where small talk felt awkward or uncomfortable? If so, you're not
alone. Small talk can sometimes be tricky and it's not always easy to keep the conversation
flowing smoothly. Whether you're at a party, a networking event, or just running errands,
there are plenty of opportunities for small talk to go wrong. In this lesson, we'll discuss
some tips for preventing things from getting awkward during small talk. Let’s get into it.
Small
talk is a form of conversation that focuses on light, informal
topics. It is typically used to build rapport with others, make connections,
and learn more about someone. It is often used in social situations,
such as parties or networking events, where you may not know the other person well.
There are a few key things to keep in mind when engaging in small talk:
Be mindful of your body language. Your body language can affect how the other
person perceives you and how they feel about the conversation. Avoid nonverbal cues that may
come across as closed or unapproachable, such as crossing your arms, avoiding eye contact,
or leaning away from the other person. Instead, try to maintain open and friendly body language,
such as uncrossing your arms, maintaining good eye contact, and leaning slightly
towards the other person. This can help make the conversation feel more comfortable and engaging.
Be aware of the other person's boundaries. It's important to respect the other person's personal
space and boundaries. Don't invade their space or touch them without their permission. If you sense
that the other person is uncomfortable with a particular topic or question, move on to something
else. By being sensitive to the other person's boundaries, you can prevent the conversation
from becoming awkward or uncomfortable. Don't put pressure on the other person
to keep the conversation going. Small talk is not a test or a competition. It's okay
if the conversation doesn't flow naturally or if there are lulls in the conversation.
Rather than trying to fill the silence, allow for natural pauses and let the conversation
flow at its own pace. This can help prevent the conversation from feeling forced or unnatural.
Don't take things personally. If the other person seems uninterested or unengaged in the
conversation, don't take it personally. They may be having a bad day, they may not be interested
in the topic, or they may be preoccupied with something else. Instead of getting
upset or trying to force the conversation, just move on to talking to someone else.
By not taking things personally, you can prevent the conversation from becoming awkward or tense.
Don't make assumptions. Avoid making assumptions about the other person based on their appearance,
background, or personal information. Everyone is different and has their own unique experiences
and perspectives. By keeping an open mind and not making assumptions, you can prevent things from
getting awkward during small talk. This can help create a more open and inclusive conversation.
Keep the conversation light and positive. Avoid bringing up sensitive or controversial topics
that may cause conflict or discomfort. Instead, focus on keeping the conversation light and
positive by talking about shared interests, current events, or fun topics. This can help
prevent things from getting awkward and make the conversation more enjoyable for both parties.
Are you ready to put this into practice? I have a quest for you as well as some challenges you can
do when practicing these concepts. You’ll be able to access those resources when you join
my private community, Explearning Academy. So if you’d like the quests, challenges,
the discussion that goes along with it and an opportunity to submit questions or ask me live,
then you can sign up for my community by going to academy.explearning.co or by using the link below.
To sum up, preventing things from getting awkward during small talk is all about being
open, friendly, and interested in the other person. By following the tips we discussed,
such as being aware of your body language, respecting the other person's boundaries,
and keeping the conversation light and positive, you can prevent things from getting awkward and
make small talk more enjoyable and rewarding. So the next time you find yourself in a situation
where small talk is necessary, keep these tips in mind and enjoy the conversation!