Business ESL, Making Small Talk, Breaking the Ice

1. SMALL TALK: AT WORK & IN LIFE

2. Why is small
talk important,
especially in
business?

3. WHY is small talk so important (especially in business?)

4. According to Forbes magazine, there are SIX reasons why Small Talk
is essential for Business.
1. You never know where it will lead:
Small talk can lead to a host of outcomes, from just getting to know someone
better to a bigger business connection.
2. It makes you smarter:
Small talk can improve our ability to solve problems. Often, you must learn to
read another person’s emotions & see things from their perspective (empathize).
3. It feels good:
Humans are social animals, and a little small talk can help brighten our day.
4. It opens your eyes:
Small talk is similar to exercising your brain. You have to focus, and it takes more
effort than talking to someone you feel close with.
5. You’ll be liked:
Spending your time to talk to someone is a symbol of respect.
6. You have no choice:
From getting a job to meeting clients, small talk is simply an essential skill to
master. Employers want people who can “think on their feet”

5. Acceptable Topics Taboo Topics

6. Acceptable Topics
• Present / Past activities
• Work
• Weather
• General family wellness
• Upcoming events (holidays,
vacation plans, work events…)
• Travel
• Hobbies (books, TV shows,
Sports)
• News Headlines
Acceptable, if kept positive:
• appearance / fashion
• past performance
• health
• Food / restaurants
• places to go
• Money
Taboo Topics
• Religion / Religious beliefs
• Sex
• Appearance (if negative)
• Politics / War
• Money (sometimes)
• Failure / poor performance
• Relationship problems
• Health problems
• Gossip
Be careful about:
• pregnancy / child-rearing
• advice giving
• opinion topics
* of course, it depends on your
relationship with the person…

7. SMALL TALK
ETIQUETTE

8. 1. LIMIT THE WORD “I” TO A MINIMUM
Tell your story in the
short version and ask
the other person to tell
his or her story.
Show interest in what
he/she is saying.
asking questions
about the subject.

9. 2. MAKE OTHERS FEEL IMPORTANT BY EYE
CONTACT AND FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS.
It’s important to show
that you’re listening
(respecting) the other
person.
You can do this by eye
contact, and asking
follow-up questions.
*not looking at a cell
phone.

10. 3. AVOID WHISPERING
Whispering is risky
because it sends the
wrong message.
It could be viewed as
gossiping or being
secretive, and it could
negatively affect your
image at work.

11. 4. SPEAK IN A LANGUAGE THAT IS INCLUSIVE
If you are talking to someone in a
language that is not English and
other people come along to join
you and they do not speak your
Vietnamese, it’s polite to switch to
English and include them in the
conversation.
Make them feel welcomed and not
like they are interrupting.

12. 5. TRY TO REMAIN NEUTRAL ON
CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS, OR GIVE YOUR VIEW
IN A POLITE WAY.
If someone else brings up a
controversial topic, or wants
your opinion about
something, try to be
diplomatic in your response
(meaning, try to see both
sides).
OR, if you do give your
honest opinions, be polite
while doing so, and avoid
“proving your point” too
much.

13. COMMON
SMALL TALK
MISTAKES

14. Not knowing how to ACCEPT a compliment.
Some people feel uncomfortable if someone gives them a compliment.
They may disagree, or just not say anything.
However, the best thing to do if someone compliments you is simply to say,
“Thank you!”

15. Saying, “You look tired.” / “Are you pregnant?”
“You look fatter/thinner.”
Remember to be careful if you comment on someone’s appearance! Keep it positive!
IF someone does look different, it’s better to ask them
“How’s your day going?”
“How are you feeling today?”

16. Responding negatively or complaining.
If someone asks you how your day is, try to stay positive. Even if you’re having
a hard day, you can respond with phrases like:
“I’ve been busy today, but very productive. How about you?”
“The traffic was terrible today, but I’m happy I made it here on time! How long was
your commute?”
“I’m doing okay, how about you?”

17. Failing to ask questions.
Small talk is a ‘dance’ that requires two people to be fully engaged. If you’re the
only one talking, you’re not really connecting with the other person.
If you find yourself in a ‘one-sided conversation’, get the other person involved by
asking them questions about themselves.

18. BREAKING
THE ICE
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO “BREAK THE
ICE” TO EACH PERSON

19. What would you say to…
…a colleague while waiting for a business meeting to begin?

20. What would you say to…
…a colleague you’re picking up at the airport (first time meeting)

21. What would you say to…
…your boss while you both wait for the elevator?

22. What would you say to…
…two doctors that you have a meeting with

23. What would you say to…
…a foreign KOL speaker that has been to
Vietnam many times before.

24. What would you say to…
…your boss, if you ran into him/her eating dinner
at the same restaurant as you?

25. What would you say to…
…the person sitting next to you on a long flight?

26. What would you say to…
…Someone you meet at a networking event?