Whether you like it or not, small talk is an inevitable part of everyday life, whether in business settings or in your personal interactions.
It serves as a social lubricant, helping to ease the flow of conversation and build initial connections between people. The reason many of us dislike small talk is that we are simply not good at it, often finding it awkward or superficial. This discomfort can stem from a lack of practice or confidence in our conversational skills. Naturally, there will be differences between various personality types when it comes to engaging in small talk.
Introverts, who tend to be more reserved are more prone to feel uncomfortable.
Extroverts on the other hand often enjoy meeting new people and establishing a first relationship through small talk.

If you’re not planning on staying at home 24/7, you will inevitably be faced with small talk. It's an unavoidable part of social interaction. Think about all the potential career opportunities that could arise from these seemingly trivial conversations. You never know who you will meet and what encounter might have a tremendous benefit for your life. A chance meeting with a future employer, a potential business partner, or even a mentor could all stem from a simple exchange of pleasantries. Making a great impression by mastering the art of small talk will definitely help open doors and create opportunities that you might not have anticipated.

Additionally, I believe you shouldn’t feel uncomfortable in a situation like that. Feeling at ease during small talk can make a significant difference in how you are perceived by others.
Having a game plan on how to behave is the way to go, especially as an introvert.

How to do it

1. Give a compliment

2. Be interested

3. Ask the right questions

4. Avoid controversial topics

5. Show gratitude
   

Give a compliment:
There is no better way to become instantly likable than by giving someone a genuine and thoughtful compliment. Everyone loves being noticed in a positive light, and a well-placed compliment can make someone's day. However, it is crucial to ensure that the compliment is appropriate and sincere. Overdoing it or giving a compliment that seems forced or insincere can have the opposite effect and may come off as dishonest. A well-timed and heartfelt compliment can help to loosen up the atmosphere, making the interaction more natural.
If you're lucky, it can also be the first topic you pick up and have a conversation about.

Be interested:
Most people make the mistake of trying to be interesting rather than being interested. Let’s face it. Most people love to talk about themselves.
When it comes to small talk, being interested really kills two birds with one stone.
First of all, the person across from you will feel valued and heard.
The second benefit of being interested is that you don’t have to talk too much. What is key here is to listen actively once the other person is talking.
Don’t just stand around like a statue. Establish eye contact, nod your head, and smile. Trust me, people will notice if you’re not paying attention.

Ask the right questions:
Being interested goes hand in hand with asking questions.
A great way to continue a conversation is to delve deeper into the topic you're already discussing. It's much easier to keep the conversation going that way. You don't have to decide on a new topic. What is important here is to ask questions that the other person is unlikely to answer with a short response. Yes or No answers are always a bad idea because they might kill the conversation very fast. By going into depth, you'll also signal that you're interested in the other person, which will make you more likable.

Avoid controversial topic:
Mastering small talk is not about learning everything from everyone.
It’s about being comfortable when meeting new people and leaving a great impression. Sometimes it can be the beginning of a great relationship, and other times you’ll never see the other person again.
Since you don’t know much about the person across from you, try to avoid controversial topics like politics or religion. You never know their background.

Show gratitude:
After a conversation, don’t just walk away. You will come across as arrogant, and the other person might even feel that you didn’t particularly like them.
This could be the immediate end of a potential second meeting.
Show gratitude by thanking the other person for their time and tell them that you enjoyed the conversation and that it was very nice to meet them.
If the vibes were positive and you could see a potential opportunity, there is nothing wrong with exchanging numbers or business cards.

In conclusion

Engaging in small talk is certainly not rocket science. If you don’t engage in it frequently, I can understand that it might seem intimidating and uncomfortable at first. However, keep in mind that this feeling is universal.
It’s the same for everyone. The person across from you might feel even more uncomfortable about it than you do.
Try to loosen up and don’t be afraid of making the first step. A compliment can serve as a fantastic door opener for a conversation.

Instead of dominating the conversation by talking too much, try to focus on the other person by showing genuine interest and asking thoughtful questions. This approach not only makes the other person feel valued but also takes the pressure from you to keep the conversation going.

Remember, don’t try too hard. Conversations are a two-way street, and sometimes they just don’t flow as smoothly as you’d like. If a conversation doesn't go well, don’t worry about it. Simply tell the person across from you that it was nice meeting them and move on. Each interaction is a learning experience and following these steps will help you to not feel lost when engaging in small talk. Good luck next time.

Thank you for reading.