6 Minute English - Are you big on small talk

The weather is  has been nice lately, isn't hasn't it.

Oh yes, it has. The winter has been mild this year. But according to the forecast there might be some snow in part of the country next week. you know that's good because I love snow. We have not  seen much  of it for quite a while. It's only rain, isn't it I …

Enough now or We are going to think it true that The British people only talk about weather.
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In this program, we are going to talk about conversation and how to start talking people you don't know. In short, how to make a small talk.

Right. Well, small talk is what we called polite and informal conversation about things which  are not really important or meaningful when meeting people socially. Like at a party for example.

And in this programme you will learn some vocabulary about communication. But first a question, Rob, when did  do babies usually started talking? Is it when they are?
(a) 9 months
(b) 16 months
(c) 18 months

Well, I know they start making noises at quite an early age, I guess if that's about talking. Let me say a 9 months.

OK, we will have the answer to that question at the end of the programme. Small talk is a social skill, some people feel awkward. It means they feel uncomfortable and embarrassing  when they go to a party and don't know many people there.

Liz Brewer, the author of 'The ultimate guide to party planning & Etiquette',, knows a lot about what to do on this these occasions. Etiquette is a set of rules which indicate what behavior in the society is acceptable and what is not.

Yes, they author knows a lot about that etiquette. Let's listen to her advice. What expression does she use to describe the activity act of attempting to start conversation with someone.

They are You walking around  into a room and see your there is a sea of faces, well, first thing we do is, whether we do it because we offering are in fact that breaking the ice. That's the code. That means I want to talk to you. It's an easy subject. It's not too penetrating. with We're very private people. We don't like get give too much invocation information. So we are on safe ground which we start talk off with the weather. If that goes well, we then will take one step further.

Liz Brewer talks about breaking the ice. It means approaching someone you don't know and starting a friendly conversation with them.

And when you break the ice, talking about things which are not specifically is the best way. You know dont't start the chet chat, asking straight way where people leave live or what they do for leaving a living.

And as the office author said, we are very private people. Private describe someone doesn't like to give away their personal information, opinion, all or share their feelings. So we need more time to open up the to people we've just met.

Good, so now you know what to do at party when you don't know the other guests.

But, Neil, there is one particular situation I not sure how to deal with it. This is when I forget the name of the person, I've been making small talk with.

Oh, yes, I know what is it that's like. You might not feel comfortable about allowing the person to realizse you don't really catch their name.

It might sounds rude.

Yes, that's right. I don't want to sound rude which means ill-manner of the wrong or unpleasant present. The person I've just manage to approach might think I don't care.

Let's see what is tip it XXX author on etiquette Liz Brewer has for with us. Which words does she use instead of " I have forgotten".

You can say, ah .. just your name , it has just sleep slipped in my mind for a the moment. And they I then said, Pole Paul, oh nononnono, I know you are Paul. It was a the surname. Oh, they give you the surname and you name add the other. As I said, small talk is a code towards to work getting information and going further. Once you feel comfortable then you can have these a wonderful in-depth conversations. There is are the kind of things you want to probably do later.

Liz Brewer says, your name has just slipped in my mind. It's a gentle way of saying they've just forgotten a the person's name. And pretending you knew the person's name but you want the other name, it's a clever trick.

Yes, it might sound like you forget the name, but not completely. And this author show you have to interrupt interact with people in a charming way.

Yes, my call co-presenter. Your name is has just slipped in my mind for the moment.

Come on Rob. You know, You know it, Neil.

Yes, it is Neil. Just practicing my social skills though there.

I am afraid you have to practice some other signs time because .. I don't want to sound rude, but we are running out of time. Let me give you the correct answer to the quiz question now.

Oh yes, you asked me when do babies just usually start talking? and you gave me 3 options.

Yes, the options were.. 9 months, 16 months or 18 months. And I went for the first one, 9 months. Was I right ?