How To Make Small Talk Interesting And Fun

Making Small Talk More Engaging

Small talk can help you learn about someone, discover whether you connect, and make an interaction more enjoyable. To avoid an interview-like exchange or awkward silences, try these techniques:

• Pair a compliment with a “cold read.” Give a sincere compliment, then make a playful guess about the person. For example: “You’re really outgoing; I bet you’re great at sales.” The guess doesn’t need to be right—it gives them an easy opening to share more.
• Ask questions that invite longer answers. Instead of questions that can be answered with one word, such as “How long have you lived here?”, try “What brought you here?” or “What do you do for fun?” Choose topics the person may enjoy, such as what’s exciting in their life.
• Turn routine questions into a guessing game. If you catch yourself asking something ordinary, make it playful. For example, ask for a couple of hints and try to guess where they’re from. Use this approach when the setting feels appropriate.
• Ask for someone’s opinion or advice. A light question—such as which of two Christmas sweaters they prefer—or a deeper one about relationships can show that you value their perspective and create a more distinctive conversation. Choose a topic you genuinely find interesting.

Presenters and Sources

The video’s speaker is unnamed in the subtitles. Charlie is mentioned as a colleague and as the creator of another video.

Source: Charisma on Command.