As an expat, I see that the culture here is for Australians to work very hard and take their jobs and careers very seriously. Next, lets talk about responding to questions about work. A common small talk topic is the weather. For example, studies indicate that people are happier when they talk to others, even if it is just strangers on a subway, and even if it is just small talk. Teens Who Dont Date: Socially Behind or Socially Skilled? Naturally, the first thing you should do is greet your coworker with an enthusiastic Hey Jim! or Hi Carrie!. You can slightly tweak the question: Would you mind telling me about your experience working on this project? Other things I noticed are: There aren't as many big corporates, so lots of other business people I meet are in small businesses or start-ups. I have visited some remote Chinese cities only to find an Australian advising a business in a particular sector, with no Mandarin, but still readily accepted, contributing and having fun with the workforce. Small talk is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as Polite conversation about unimportant or uncontroversial matters, especially as engaged in on social occasions.. Do you dread trading niceties with retail clerks and assorted other strangers when you are out in public? They grow your network, provide you with information, and make uncomfortable situations more bearable. Workplace Small Talk - OBP Australia Workplace Small Talk How do you enter the workplace social inner sanctum? Leave a comment and let me know two questions that you think youll use with your coworkers and colleagues. Research even suggests that chance encounters and spontaneous conversations with our coworkers can spark collaboration, improving our creativity, innovation, and performance. They value authenticity, sincerity, and loathe pretentiousness. "Small talk is not just a fluffy part of business - it has this real world outcome." "From a mental health perspective, anxiety and depression can be lessened through interaction with people and that sense of belonging and community," she says.