The Art of “Small Talk”

Have you ever experienced being alone with someone for the first time and you don’t have any idea how to start a conversation with him/her? Be it in a vehicle, wash room or even in a party. If your answer is a fat “YES”, then this is the perfect blog for you. Let me introduce you to the fantastic arena of “SMALL TALK”. Wherein you will learn to engage in a blank dialogue and still look very intelligent, wise and very very cool!

Encarta Dictionary defines “Small Talk” as meaningless empty chatter. Wordnet defines it as a light informal conversation for social occasions. Whatever definition I find I still see it as an opportunity to brag or in the other hand just kill the ultra boring emptiness of air space.

I will share to you my TOP 5 sure fire hit SMALL TALK topics.

Topic 1: (weather)

Normal: “grabe, ang init noh?” or “grabe, ang lakas ng ulan…may bagyo ba?”. This will surely end the null!

Conyo: “Dude, hassle ang init. Ang taas nga ng bill ko sa pad ko kasi super 24/7 nakabukas yung aircon namin eh.” Or “Yes umuulan!!! Perfect na perfect yung bagong jacket ko na worth $500!”

Topic 2: (social status)

Normal: I normally use this when I’m in a taxi. Say “ang hirap na talaga ng buhay ngayon noh sir? Ang mahal na ng gasulina tapos magtataaas pa daw.”

Conyo: You may start with “Man, have you seen the new BMW 3 series? Grabe! Ang lupit dude!”

Topic 3: (sports)

Normal: “pare napanood mo ba yung laban ni pacquiao? t@^&!n@ ang galing noh?”

Conyo: “Dude, where do you think I can buy a nice horse? I’m planning to start playing polo kasi eh.”

Topic 4: (office)

Normal: “grabe pare noh? nakakapagod talaga sa trabaho ngayon. Ang daming ginagawa”. You may even have a two-hit combination topic like “haaay naku, nakakapagod talaga sa trabaho ngayon. Ang daming projects tapos ang lakas pa ng ulan.” You just hit the office and weather topics!

Conyo: “ wasup bro? Where do you work?....(after the reply)…..ah really? Cool, I’m in the same line of business kaya I know na super nakaka-tiring yung work mo dude.”

Topic 5: (love life)

Now this is very tricky! You may only use this topic when you like the person you are talking to. This is a good null breaker and gurl catcher at the same time. Of course you must have the uncanny ability to set the mood because without it bad vibes ka agad chong.

Normal: “ummm…pwede humingi ng advise? Kasi yung crush ko mag-bbday na tapos hindi ko pa sure kung ano ibibigay ko sa kanya”…(after the reply)…create a gentle laugh and say “oo nga! Tama ka. Buti nalang nakausap kita. Ano nga pala ulit number mo?”

Conyo: “oo nga pala, my name is state your name and you are? You have a very cute name. Pareho kayo ng name cousin ko sa Europe. Have you ever been to Europe?”…(after the reply)…”I remember her to be very sweet and pretty din siya like you. Wanna grab a bite to eat?”

Here are just some solid ways to engage in a conversation. I hope you’ve learned something.