Our topic today? How to know what to say when you need to make small talk in social situations.

Now, I know for some of you, hearing the words “small talk” makes you want to run the other way. You might think: Ugh, it feels fake. Or maybe you freeze and have no idea what to say. Or you’re just not a fan of talking to strangers.

But here’s the truth: small talk isn’t magic. It’s not something you’re born knowing how to do. It’s a skill. And like any skill, you can learn it, you can practice it, and you can get better at it.

Today, we’re going to break down this topic step-by-step. I’ll explain what “small talk” means in American English, some easy topics to use, and a few fun vocabulary words to try out.