Comments on London Expat | Singaporean in London: How to make small talk the British way

Actually I used to think that Singaporeans were "b...

2009-01-21T01:19:20.034Z

Actually I used to think that Singaporeans were "better" in some senses because we don't do so much small talk - somehow I thought this meant that we didn't "waste time" talking about "rubbish" and just got things done. But after a while I realized that it merely meant that Singaporeans were basically unable to just chat to anyone who wasn't someone that they already knew quite well - small talk

Nice post. Back in my old office, we had someone ...

2009-01-15T02:57:26.898Z

Nice post. Back in my old office, we had someone who earned the title of "Queen of Small Talk". It was a compliment, of course. Better than being "Queen of Gossip". Some people are just naturally gifted in engaging small talk, or put it a better way, making conversation. :)

@kyh,It's an acquired skill really - one sentence ...

2009-01-12T10:58:16.529Z

@kyh,
It's an acquired skill really - one sentence just lead to another. At the end of the day, nothing substantial may be said but it's a conversation nevertheless. That's probably why they're called 'small-talk'.

@Martin,
Haha, I like your straight talking. I guess it's easier to complain then to be cheerful about something, isn't it?

@lynne,
Then again,

the british love to go on about the weather! it is...

2009-01-12T08:18:25.647Z

the british love to go on about the weather! it is a great conversation piece!

From a different perspective, I did missed the sma...

2009-01-11T14:31:17.757Z

From a different perspective, I did missed the small talk with my neighbourhood supermart. In Sg the tow-kay would recommend some good stuff that just got in or value-for-money to stock up or just how's the family. That's a bond that binds a community. In NL, after years of going to the same shops, we never venture further than "good morning" n "hv a nice day". I'm so used to being a swift

I'm not going to make small talk, but I love the p...

2009-01-11T13:03:23.052Z

I'm not going to make small talk, but I love the picture.

I'm not very good at making small talk too. Usuall...

2009-01-11T12:41:24.723Z

I'm not very good at making small talk too. Usually I'm so tired after talking in meetings and at presentations that I don't want to open my mouth any more after work. :)

Oh i recommend reading Bill Bryson's Notes from a ...

2009-01-10T22:29:39.350Z

Oh i recommend reading Bill Bryson's Notes from a Small Island - so funny i lol even in public & people stare - seriously amusing & u learn lots about the Brits - but i must say u are almost straight on about the small talk topics ;)

I fail at small talk... seriously! A big part of ...

2009-01-10T07:18:37.793Z

I fail at small talk... seriously! A big part of it is I want my words to count, so blabbing on about stuff I don't even care about is kinda a waste :p But yeah, those topics are sure to get people talking :)

Small talk or complaining? Like you, I am very bad...

2009-01-10T07:15:19.061Z

Small talk or complaining? Like you, I am very bad at small talk, mainly because I don't like to complain, perhaps you are the same there as well.

You're not alone! I prefer to keep quiet than to s...

2009-01-09T20:30:13.849Z

You're not alone! I prefer to keep quiet than to start on something that I do not know how to respond. LOL.

@Sher,I know what you mean. So the key thing is to...

2009-01-09T17:07:14.694Z

@Sher,
I know what you mean. So the key thing is to ask about the other person first. Then the ball will be on the other person's court... heh heh.

Hahaha..I sometimes hate those Small Talks. But no...

2009-01-09T16:58:37.806Z

Hahaha..
I sometimes hate those Small Talks. But now I'm missing them..Just love those "Hi! How are you?" and when you try to squeeze out a response, the conversation starter has drifted off to the next desk..duh...