- Many people are familiar with the situation when they have just been introduced to a new person, and awkward silence appeared, because there was nothing to talk about. It’s way scarier if the new person is a foreigner and you have to speak to him in English.
- In this article we will tell you how to start a small talk, how to express agreement and disagreement with a person’s opinion, and also which topics are okay to discuss with anyone and which aren’t.
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Introduction
- So, you have just been introduced to someone and you have to say something. It’s better to use some formal phrases to look more polite:
- · Good morning/afternoon/evening!
- · Nice to meet you!
- · How are you doing?
- · Fine, thanks, and how are you?
- If the person asks you «How do you do?», say… «How do you do?». Such a question doesn’t require any actual answer. All you have to do is show respect and polite interest.
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How to start a conversation
- The hardest part is establishing contact, find something to discuss. Your best move is to ask the person a question that can’t be answered with yes or no. You can only ask such questions if you have some follow-ups.
- You can say something like this:
- · How do you like this party?
- · You are a teacher, right?
- · How long have you been teaching?
- · How long have you been living in New York?
- · What do you think of this exhibition?
- · Have you already tried chocolate cake here? It’s delicious!
- Anyway, try to ask question you would love to answer yourself. Don’t ask personal questions (marriage, children). It’s inappropriate at during first meeting.
- If you asked the person to express an opinion about something (party, exhibition), he or she will probably address the same question to you. These phrases will be helpful:
- I’d say that…
- I believe that…
- In my opinion…
- It seems to me that…
- To tell you the truth…
- The way I see it…
- If you ask me…
- Some people say that…
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How to agree or disagree in English
- At first, let’s look at phrases used for agreeing:
- · Exactly;
- · No doubt about it;
- · I absolutely agree with you;
- · This is precisely what I think;
- · Can’t agree more.
- Disagreeing, however, isn’t quite as easy. The rule is: in order to disagree politely, as strange as it seems, you should agree at first (not entirely, of course), and then carefully slip in your real opinion. This is how you do it:
- · This is a very interesting point of view, however I think…
- · I’ve heard such an opinion before, but I suppose…
- · On the whole I agree with you, but…
- · I see your point, but…
- · Yes, fine, but I would say…
- This way you let the person understand that his or her opinion was heard and considered, so now they are ready to hear a different one. Such approach is often used in sales. A person is ready for confrontation, but it never comes. Of course, you must speak very sincerely not to make a person suspicious.
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Topics of conversations in English
- 1. Hobby. This is absolutely the best topic since everyone has his/her own hobbies. However when asking don’t use the word «hobby», because it kind of startles everyone and they start thinking about stamps collecting and thing like that. Just ask: «What do you like doing in your free time?».
- 2. Books, movies, sports. The previous point will probably lead to an activity. Be ready to support the conversation with a question like this: «What was the last book you read?»
- 3. Work. Most people like talking about their jobs. So ask them: «Do you like what you do for a living?»
- 4. Travel. Ask the person what the last place that he/she visited was and whether they liked it or not: «Where did you go on your last vacation?», «Did you like the place?»
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Inappropriate topics
- 1. News. News is mostly negative (explosions, plane crashes). Such topic will hardly help you make contact.
- 2. Politics, religion. If (it is very likely) your opinions on the subjects will differ, you won’t be able to prove anything to each other. It’s better to avoid conversations of this sort with people you barely know.
- 3. Money.
- 4. Health.
- 5. Personal life. Such thing are better discussed with friends and relatives.
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Ending a conversation
- Some phrases that will help you say goodbye:
- · It was nice meeting you;
- · Have a nice day;
- · I’ll see you late.
- Now you know how to have a friendly conversation with a person you have just met and feel comfortable!