先來看看何為Small Talk?

Small Talk:

Conversation without real meaning; conversation without any particular purpose;conversation about general subjects;conversation one starts with unfamiliar people in order to be more involved; conversation used to make friends with new people;conversation used to make the atmosphere better.

沒有具體意義的對話;沒有特殊目的的對話;關于大眾話題的對話;為了進一步融入而展開的與陌生人的對話;為了結交新朋友而展開的對話;為了使氣氛更融洽而展開的對話。

常用話題：

1.How was your flight or train ride? Perhaps the first question you would ask them, out of politeness.

旅途如何?這可能是你首先該問的問題，比較禮貌。

2.How is your hotel? If they have already checked into a hotel, you can ask if their accommodations are acceptable to them. Just another polite question.

你的旅館如何?如果他們已經入住的話，你可以問問他們覺得住宿是否可心，這又是一個比較禮貌的問題哦。

3.Do you play any sports? / Do you play golf? This is a good question to ask Western businessmen especially. Most of them do play golf - it has become very, very common in recent years. Others might play tennis, squash or basketball. Most Western women do yoga or at least go to the gym.

你做什么運動嗎?你打高爾夫嗎?這個是可以問西方商務人士的很典型的話題。大多數西方商務人士都打高爾夫，近些年，高爾夫已經成為一項非常常見的運動。也有一些可能會打網球，壁球或者籃球的。大部分西方女士做瑜伽或者至少會去健身所運動。

4.How’s the weather like in your country? Whereabouts are you from?

你們國家天氣如何?你來自具體哪個地方呢?

5.Do you have children? That should be plenty of casual conversation. American businessmen especially like to get down to business without too much small talk. After your meeting, you could go to a bar or pub to get to know each other better. Your foreign friend will be more relaxed and more talkative in that situation

你有孩子嗎?像這類輕松的話題還很多。美國商人特別喜歡直接進入商務話題，所以過多寒暄就不必了。你們會面之后，你們可以去酒吧或酒館來進一步了解彼此。那時你的外國友人會更加放松，也更健談些。

All right, 接下來就是get down to business了!