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How to Make Small Talk: Conversation Starters, Exercises, and Scenarios
Learn how to improve your basic conversation skills and engage in pleasant small talk for more positive face-to-face interactions in this simple, visually engaging guide.
With today’s focus on technology and digital communication, face-to-face small talk is becoming increasingly difficult. How do you start a conversation with a stranger? What do you need to do to make a great first impression? What should you do when the conversation starts to drift off?
In How to Make Small Talk , you’ll learn the art of small talk for all types of situations. With simple advice, engaging visuals, and brief exercises, this book makes it easy to improve your casual chitchat skills. From professional networking to first dates to casual run-ins with a neighbor, you’ll always be able to strike up a great conversation and leave a positive, lasting impression.
With today’s focus on technology and digital communication, face-to-face small talk is becoming increasingly difficult. How do you start a conversation with a stranger? What do you need to do to make a great first impression? What should you do when the conversation starts to drift off?
In How to Make Small Talk , you’ll learn the art of small talk for all types of situations. With simple advice, engaging visuals, and brief exercises, this book makes it easy to improve your casual chitchat skills. From professional networking to first dates to casual run-ins with a neighbor, you’ll always be able to strike up a great conversation and leave a positive, lasting impression.
160 pages, Hardcover
Published October 10, 2017
54 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Wadsworth
4 books4 followersMelissa Wadsworth is a new-community visionary, certified dream coach, change catalyst, creative intuitive, and author. Her vision and leadership integrate her own life-lessons, inspirational optimism, and her commitment to bringing healing change energy to the world.
Collective Manifestation: Heart-Centered Blueprints for Creating Intentional Community represents Wadsworth’s passion for authentic communications, out-of-the-box ideas and processes, and her fondness for humans and the potential they embody.
She believes that active and innovative community engagement holds the potential for wondrous global breakthroughs yet unimagined.
The founder of Brilliance Unlimited, LLC, and New Village 22 Melissa has dedicated her life to exploring consciousness, creativity, and communications in order to support people worldwide in the manifestation of amazing life journeys. Her methods offer a radical shift and uplift for people who feel trapped by the status quo and an unbalanced life, and who desire insight into their unique life blueprint.
Collective Manifestation: Heart-Centered Blueprints for Creating Intentional Community represents Wadsworth’s passion for authentic communications, out-of-the-box ideas and processes, and her fondness for humans and the potential they embody.
She believes that active and innovative community engagement holds the potential for wondrous global breakthroughs yet unimagined.
The founder of Brilliance Unlimited, LLC, and New Village 22 Melissa has dedicated her life to exploring consciousness, creativity, and communications in order to support people worldwide in the manifestation of amazing life journeys. Her methods offer a radical shift and uplift for people who feel trapped by the status quo and an unbalanced life, and who desire insight into their unique life blueprint.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 5, 2020
For the most part, this book has about the same content as others on the subject - no better, no worse. But I give it only two stars for a couple of reasons.
First, Wadsworth goes beyond small talk, and delves into etiquette and even how to host a dinner party or other event so that the reader can practice. Let's master smiling and commenting on the weather before we worry about what to serve the boss for dinner, shall we?
Second, there's advice here that, in my opinion, is dead wrong. If my neighbor greets someone new to the neighborhood and gives them a phone list with my name and number on it, I won't be happy. That's crossing a line, and nobody should be giving out my phone number but me. Also, I'm pretty sure that 99% of people reading on the bus or subway are telling you non-verbally (see the chapter on body language!) and in no uncertain terms that they DO NOT want to engage in small talk. Please don't bother them. Now, if they have a closed book on their lap, go ahead and tell them you love that author and see how it goes. But please don't try to chit chat with someone who's actively reading.
If you need some ideas on how to strike up a conversation, Wadsworth's book is okay, but pick and choose what makes sense and works for you.
First, Wadsworth goes beyond small talk, and delves into etiquette and even how to host a dinner party or other event so that the reader can practice. Let's master smiling and commenting on the weather before we worry about what to serve the boss for dinner, shall we?
Second, there's advice here that, in my opinion, is dead wrong. If my neighbor greets someone new to the neighborhood and gives them a phone list with my name and number on it, I won't be happy. That's crossing a line, and nobody should be giving out my phone number but me. Also, I'm pretty sure that 99% of people reading on the bus or subway are telling you non-verbally (see the chapter on body language!) and in no uncertain terms that they DO NOT want to engage in small talk. Please don't bother them. Now, if they have a closed book on their lap, go ahead and tell them you love that author and see how it goes. But please don't try to chit chat with someone who's actively reading.
If you need some ideas on how to strike up a conversation, Wadsworth's book is okay, but pick and choose what makes sense and works for you.
November 18, 2017
Ick, I couldn't get into this book at all. It had a pedantic tone and everything seemed to be too obvious. Honestly, it hurt me to waste time listening to this audio book. I was only 35 minutes in and it was already grating on my nerves. And I can listen to most anything on audio...
PASS!
[Audio: 3 hours, 9 minutes]
PASS!
[Audio: 3 hours, 9 minutes]
August 24, 2025
Not poorly written, but absolutely not on topic.
August 17, 2018
I listened to the audio-book...perhaps it would be better to skim this book. Parts of it were quite engaging and others were simply awful. I liked hearing about the psychological and philosophical aspects of small talk but when she started talking tactics it got real dumb real fast.
January 12, 2022
Hate hate hate. Double hate. LOATHE ENTIRELY!
Under no circumstances should you comment about people’s grocery store purchases. It’s rude and you don’t know what kind of triggers are lurking underneath. Same goes for talking in elevators. It’s just RUDE.
There’s a difference between making small talk and just bothering people. Joining groups and finding ways to make new friends is fine and that’s the appropriate place to make small talk. Otherwise, don’t break the rules of etiquette.
Under no circumstances should you comment about people’s grocery store purchases. It’s rude and you don’t know what kind of triggers are lurking underneath. Same goes for talking in elevators. It’s just RUDE.
There’s a difference between making small talk and just bothering people. Joining groups and finding ways to make new friends is fine and that’s the appropriate place to make small talk. Otherwise, don’t break the rules of etiquette.
July 1, 2022
My first did-not-finish of the year. I expected conversation starters and ice breakers, but the book seems to be written to help people with autism understand basic interpersonal skills. “Want people to like you? Smile!” and “Be careful not to lick your lips as this can be perceived as a sexual behavior.”
The narrator is monotone and flat and has a distinct way of over-pronouncing her consonants.
The narrator is monotone and flat and has a distinct way of over-pronouncing her consonants.
May 17, 2022
I don't know what I was expecting, it was just stuff like be confident and stand up straight and make eye contact sometimes. I can't believe I paid 14.99 for this! Just kidding, I got it at the library, which is where everyone should get books.
May 12, 2018
Some good tips and ideas
June 5, 2018
Same impressions as the substantive reviewers below - self-evident information that made this book too long for what it provided.
December 1, 2018
There is a great deal of trite nonsense here.
If you are a person that needs lists to make self changes, this book is for you.
If you are a person that needs lists to make self changes, this book is for you.
July 28, 2020
Brief but helpful
The book helped me consider some aspects of small talk that I forget sometimes. Overall, it isn't a bad read.
The book helped me consider some aspects of small talk that I forget sometimes. Overall, it isn't a bad read.
February 23, 2022
This tiny book is ok, but I don't feel it's incredibly helpful.
January 9, 2024
Just ok. Boring.
February 27, 2025
I thought that maybe I would gain some insight or a new approach to people. I expected too much. Cute guide to the basics maybe for young adults.
March 20, 2025
Overall solid
April 26, 2018
Borrowed it from the library. Nothing revolutionary but offers a good basic run down of strategies to implement in your day to day verbal interactions and social environments. I would highly recommend it if you're a recluse whose social skills are close to non-existent.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews