Topics to Avoid in English Small Talk

Small talks involve making general conversations with strangers. The talk should be enlightening and revealing. There are topics to avoid if you want to continue having a conversation with someone.

Never ask people about finances (wage or salary), politics, religion, death, age and appearance. Avoid offensive jokes to break the ice, narrow topics, past relationships, serial killers and illnesses as you could easily offend someone or be viewed as a negative person. The whole point of small talk is to get a conversation started; if you don’t avoid these topics; the conversation will cease to exist.

Tom and Jerry at the art gallery

Tom: This place is beautiful and full of so many artifacts; we should go and talk to the owner.

Jerry: I have heard that he is very welcoming.

Prince: Welcome to my humble home, my name is Prince.

Jerry: Nice to meet you, my name is Jerry and my friend is Tom. This is a beautiful place. What inspired it?

Owner: Well my mother died and I had to make money for myself, my wife left me and I had to find relief, I was fat, much like you are and my previous boss was terrible…. Gosh those were the days..

Tom: (To Prince) It was nice to meet you. Jerry, let’s chat with other people…

Jerry: I’m not fat, am I Tom?