Business Small Talk  Paragraph 1  The term “small talk” frequently appears in and outside of the business world. Small talk might seem to be unimportant, but it’s actually vital across all types of industries, businesses and networks. It plays a major role in forming social cohesion that makes interaction possible and builds trust. To enjoy and take full advantage of small talk, we must truly understand it.  Paragraph 2  Small talk is the common term for a conversation about light and unimportant matters. It’s a friendly dialogue about a common topic. It’s a way of conversing with someone you’ve only just met, are meeting for a short amount of time – at a conference, for example – or don’t know very well.  Paragraph 3   Small talk can be about almost any matter in the world, so long as its subject is appropriate. Topics such as the weather, weekend plans, and sports are all acceptable small talk subjects. Unacceptable small talk subjects that could be considered rude or inappropriate should be avoided at all costs, as they can damage business relationships and cause one to be fired from his or her position. Topics involving violence and racist matters are common examples of unacceptable small talk subjects.Paragraph 4  Subjects like politics, hot issues, and personal preferences aren’t necessarily unacceptable in small talk, but should better be avoided, as they can easily result in disagreement and conflict. And as many of you know, confrontation is best avoided in business!  Paragraph 5  If small talk is appropriate and welcomed by both parties involved, it can help to improve relationships and the productivity of business talk, and allow business professionals to have a little bit of fun. One should be sure not to spend too much time on small talk, however, or there won’t be enough time left for professional conversation