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It is in technique like the comments about the weather. It is this technique applied to the dozens of other things besides the weather by which people are constantly surrounded. It offers a common ground for the most diverse people, and scope for wit and charm and information. Small talk, to quote Edwin Muir, may be said to be "a world in itself, and there we are perfectly safe from the things we are talking about." The first source of small talk is the day's news. You comment on matters the others, too, may have read or seen. Small talk is factual, not opinionative. You simply state that congress today passed the rent law or that new parking meters were voted in by the city fathers or that a fire destroyed a warehouse. You mention certain shows or movies being advertised. You may add which of these you have seen recently. Athletic events, contests, certain religious ceremonies — all these if commented upon factually are good small talk. |
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