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Final Day

Global Tourism & Communication

Day 10

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Activity: Discussion

Answer the following questions:

  • How was the class? What did you like or dislike?
  • What did you think of the final project?
  • What was the most interesting thing you learned about California? What about San Diego?
  • If you someone told you they wanted to go to Japan for 7 days, what 7 things would you recommend seeing or doing?

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Small Talk

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Activity: Discussion

Answer the following questions:

  • What is small talk?
  • When do we use it?
  • Is it normal to talk to strangers in your country?

Be prepared to share after with the class.

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What is Small Talk?

  • Casual conversation
  • Before asking for something
  • To break the ice
  • To fill 'awkward' silences
  • Not speaking is sometimes considered rude

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It's not uncommon for strangers to talk in the U.S. Often, we use small talk when we are waiting, or to fill a silence

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Norms Around Small Talk

Who:

  • Strangers
  • Acquaintances
  • Co-workers

Where:

  • In public
  • When waiting for something (line, elevator)
  • Social events
  • First day of class

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Topics for Small Talk

Common topics:

  • Weather
  • Sports
  • Current events

Topics to avoid:

  • Politics
  • Religion
  • Personal information
  • Money
  • Body or appearance
  • Controversial topics

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Light vs. Heavy topics:

  • Heavy = sad, serious, or intellectual
  • Light = Trivial, not serious, simple

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Tips for Small Talk

These tips will help you make successful small talk:

  • Use it the first time you see someone in a day
  • Use it when things are quiet
  • Use it only when someone smiles or acknowledges you
  • Don't use it when someone is busy or unresponsive
  • It can be difficult to know how to begin. Try these conversation starters

Small talk doesn’t have to be hard. With practice, you can become a small-talk expert!

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Activity: Discussion & Activity

  • Create some “small talk” questions.
  • Then, practice your small talk, as well as your active listening and rejoinders!

Be prepared to share after with the class.

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Final Task

Thank you!

Please click on the link to answer the reflection questions.