Small Talk at Work in English: Phrases, Topics and What to Avoid

Small talk is the short, friendly chat that happens around the real work: in the kitchen, in the lift, before a call starts. It feels unimportant, but it is how colleagues get to know and trust each other. Here is what to say, situation by situation.

Conversation starters by situation

Monday morning

• "Morning! How was your weekend?"
• "Did you get up to anything nice at the weekend?"
• "Did you manage to get some rest?"
• "Back to it, then! How's your week looking?"

On Fridays, flip it: "Any plans for the weekend?" or "Doing anything nice this weekend?"

In the kitchen or at the coffee machine

• "Is there any coffee left, or shall I make a fresh pot?"
• "That smells good. What are you having?"
• "How's your day going so far?"
• "Busy day?"
• "I don't think we've met properly. I'm Leo, I work in finance."

Before a meeting starts

• "How's your week been so far?"
• "Are you busy with the end-of-quarter stuff too?"
• "Have you been in this room before? It's freezing."
• "Did you manage to get through all your meetings this morning?"

On a video call, while waiting for others

• "Hi! Can you hear me okay?"
• "Where are you calling from today? Home or the office?"
• "What's the weather like over there?"
• "Is it the end of the day for you already?" (useful with colleagues in other time zones)
• "I like your background. Is that a real bookshelf?"

Video small talk is shorter. Thirty seconds of chat while people join is normal, then the host moves on. For more call phrases, see English phrases for client and video calls.

With someone new

• "You must be new. Welcome! I'm Aisha."
• "How are you finding it so far?"
• "Which team are you in?"
• "Where were you before?"

If you are the new person, see how to introduce yourself to a new team.

Safe topics

• The weekend and holidays. "Have you got any time off coming up?"
• The weather. "It's finally warming up, isn't it?"
• Light work topics. "How's the new project going?" (but don't turn it into a meeting)
• Food and coffee. "Have you tried the new place across the road?"
• Travel. "Have you been anywhere nice recently?"
• Shows, films, sport and hobbies. "Are you watching anything good at the moment?"
• The commute. "Was the train okay this morning?"

How to keep the conversation going

Small talk dies when one person gives a one-word answer. The fix is simple: answer, add a detail, then ask something back.

Other useful follow-ups:

• "Oh really? How was it?"
• "That sounds great. Was it your first time?"
• "How did you get into that?"
• "Same here!" / "Me too."
• "No way! I didn't know that."

Ask open questions that start with how, what or where. They invite more than yes or no. For more everyday questions, see English questions you should know for everyday conversation.

Ending the conversation politely

Knowing how to leave is as useful as knowing how to start. Give a reason and a friendly close.

• "Anyway, I'd better get back to it. Have a good day!"
• "I've got a call in five minutes, but it was nice chatting."
• "Right, I'll let you get on."
• "Great to catch up. Speak later!"
• "Enjoy the rest of your lunch."

"I'll let you get on" is very British and very polite. It sounds like you are thinking of their time, not escaping.

Topics to avoid

Avoid topics that can make people uncomfortable or start an argument, especially in international teams where norms differ.

• Salary and money. "How much do you earn?" or "How much did your house cost?"
• Politics and religion. Even if you think everyone agrees.
• Age, weight and appearance. "You look tired" or "Have you lost weight?"
• Relationships and family plans. "Are you married?" or "When are you having kids?"
• Health. Unless they bring it up first.
• Gossip about colleagues. It always gets back to them.
• Complaining. A little shared complaining about the weather is fine. Complaining about your manager is not.

If someone asks you something you don't want to answer, keep it light: "Oh, that's a long story!" or "Let's not get into that before coffee." Then change the subject: "Anyway, how's your week been?"

Sample exchanges

Monday morning, at the desks

Ana: Morning! How was your weekend?

Tom: Really good, thanks. We went hiking near the coast. It was beautiful but I'm a bit sore today. How about yours?

Ana: Much quieter. I mostly stayed in and watched films. Where did you go hiking?

Tom: Just south of Brighton. You should try it, it's an easy train ride.

Ana: I might! Anyway, I'd better check my emails. Have a good day.

Before a video call

Raj: Hi Mei! Can you hear me okay?

Mei: Yes, loud and clear. Is it late for you?

Raj: It's about six here, so nearly the end of my day. Is it morning for you?

Mei: Yes, I'm on my first coffee. Oh, it looks like everyone's here. Shall we start?

In the kitchen, with someone new

Sam: Hi, I don't think we've met. I'm Sam, I'm in sales.

Lina: Nice to meet you. I'm Lina. I just joined the design team on Monday.

Sam: Welcome! How are you finding it so far?

Lina: Good, everyone's been really friendly. Still learning where everything is, though.

Sam: The good coffee is in the top cupboard. Don't tell anyone. Anyway, I'll let you get on. See you around!

If small talk makes you nervous

Many people, native speakers included, find small talk awkward. Two things help. First, prepare three questions you can use anywhere: "How's your week going?", "Any plans for the weekend?" and "Have you been anywhere nice recently?" Second, remember that nobody expects perfect English in a two-minute kitchen chat. Warmth matters more than grammar. Our guide to the best apps for nervous English speakers has more ideas if this is hard for you.

Practise this with Katie AI

Katie AI has small talk scenarios for the office, video calls and meeting new colleagues. You chat out loud, and Katie corrects every sentence and explains why. Because Katie remembers your past conversations, you can practise the same situations until they feel natural.