Ease Back into Small Talk

 Wed 14 July 2021

Ease Back into Small Talk

Are you nervous about having to make small talk with colleagues when you return to the office? If stopping for an impromptu hallway chat seems a little daunting, you're not alone. Many of us are socially rusty after a long pandemic year. The good news is you can rebuild your small-talk muscle with practice. Here are a few conversation starters. Try them out, tweak them so they feel authentic to you, and use whatever is most helpful.

   (1)  Cooking and baking. Many people discovered their inner chef during the pandemic. You might ask your coworker, “What are your new favorite meals?” or “What’s a simple recipe you discovered recently?”
   (2)  Hobbies. You might be curious about what your colleagues did with their time while not in the office. Try asking, “Did you rediscover any hobbies during quarantine?” or “What was your favorite thing you read/watched/listened to last year?”
  (3)   Vacation plans. With travel restrictions lifting in many parts of the world, lots of us are starting to think about making up for lost vacation time. Ask your work buddies, “What are you looking forward to the most this year?” or “Where’s the first place you’ll travel when you’re able to?”

This tip is adapted from “Have We Forgotten How to Small Talk?,” by Robbie Samuels

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