Small talk is the art of getting a conversation flowing. How about starting with a little story? Did you recently experience or hear something amusing? Or share something interesting about yourself without putting yourself too much in the spotlight. Small talk creates a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. It builds closeness and sympathy and is a proven way to charmingly spark interest.
Image: Small talk is an art.
Be positive, interesting and humorous
Radiate lightness, show your charm. You can never go wrong with that. Humor also has positive connotations. It reduces stress and loosens the mood. This is especially important during the holidays, when many things that have been slumbering silently within us all year can surface. There are plenty of Christmas jokes; here are a few examples: "Grandpa, your violin was the best Christmas present ever!" "Oh yes, my little one, why?" "Mom gives me a fiver every day if I don't play it." Or: A father enlightens his son. "Now you're old enough to know the truth: Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny were always me." "I've known that for a long time, Dad. Only the stork was Uncle Thomas." Or: "Mom, look, the Christmas tree is lit." "You know they say the Christmas tree lights up," she says. "Okay, then the curtain is lit up too."
Image: Lost in words? Not with us.
Tree-like numbers and more
A roughly two-meter-tall Christmas tree bears a whopping 400,000 needles, around 300,000 of which are lying on the living room floor by New Year's Eve. Anyone who owns a house cat can tell a whole different story. Once the holidays are over, the fir trees end up in the compost heap or are burned. They're not suitable for feeding to animals, simply because they contain too many Christmas decorations and wax residue. Incidentally, the record for cutting down Christmas trees belongs to the American Erin Lavoie. In 2008, she managed to cut down 27 trees in two minutes.
Image: Well, how many needles and leaves do you see?
Children are the true gift
The festival of love, harmony, and contemplative togetherness is a dream for all those who love candlelight, romance, and indulgence. This, too, bears fruit: Statistically, most children, around nine percent, are born after mid-September—exactly nine months after Christmas. In this sense, many couples don't just unwrap presents over the holidays...
Image: Not only children love Christmas.
Oh my goodness, surprise
It's best to talk about this after dessert: The Christmas season is a veritable marathon, during which we eat and drink our way through several days. By the time we reach the finish line, we've gained an average of 370 grams. It's no wonder nuts, sweets, and holiday meals leave their mark. Not to mention alcohol, which we drink over 30% more than during the rest of the year. But the best part is yet to come: It continues on New Year's Eve.
Bottom line: Small talk brings people closer together—even those meeting for the first time. With a little practice, this leads to conversations that will be remembered fondly.
