In the waiting room
In the waiting room
Watch Dev from India and Ana from Brazil as they practise small talk in the waiting room at the doctor's surgery. The players are trying to think of some topics of conversation. What topics would you use to make small talk with people you don't know?
After you have watched the video, there are some activities to complete and then finally, there's a quiz to check what you remember!
Making small talk
The following activities will help you, if you are trying to make small talk in the UK.
Quiz
Please login to take this quiz.
Your turn
The players didn't do very well in this episode. What mistakes did they make?
Here are some more questions for you to answer in the comments section:
Would you talk or stay quiet in Dev's situation? Would you ask a person's name?
Would you ask if someone is married?
The weather is often used for small talk in the UK. What topics are used for small talk in your country?
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Comments
29/12/2022
points
I would stay quiet. Medicine in full is the topic may used for small talk
29/12/2022 10:00
Tottenham Hotspur
711
I would stay quiet. Medicine in full is the topic may used for small talk
26/10/2022
points
great lesson for my superkids class.
26/10/2022 08:11
Manchester United
443
great lesson for my superkids class.
03/07/2022
points
In our culture it doesn't disturb people to talk about family, health problems, politics at first meet. On the contrary it helps break the ice. People feel relaxed when sharing personal issues.
03/07/2022 17:34
Tottenham Hotspur
5555
In our culture it doesn't disturb people to talk about family, health problems, politics at first meet. On the contrary it helps break the ice. People feel relaxed when sharing personal issues.
01/04/2022
points
I would stay quite if I were in situation and I would not ask a person’s name.
I wouldn’t ask if someone is married.
The weather, the TV show and the food are the topics used for small talk in China which are some in UK.
01/04/2022 15:27
Manchester United
738
I would stay quite if I were in situation and I would not ask a person’s name.
I wouldn’t ask if someone is married.
The weather, the TV show and the food are the topics used for small talk in China which are some in UK.
28/02/2022
points
Good
28/02/2022 17:03
Manchester United
296
Good
15/03/2021
points
I'ld probabbly start a conversation, but analysing the context to not bring a undesirable talking. And I would ask some names, certain.
I don't think there is a problem asking if a person is married...but first I would search for a ring.
In my country is common to use weather as well, but football and politics are very common nowadays.
15/03/2021 13:55
Arsenal
1512
I'ld probabbly start a conversation, but analysing the context to not bring a undesirable talking. And I would ask some names, certain.
I don't think there is a problem asking if a person is married...but first I would search for a ring.
In my country is common to use weather as well, but football and politics are very common nowadays.
05/03/2021
points
I usually talk with in these situations.
No, I didn't.
In my country we use to talk about football.
05/03/2021 01:27
Manchester United
28
I usually talk with in these situations.
No, I didn't.
In my country we use to talk about football.
25/10/2020
points
Useful lesson,today I am teaching my students this lesson,they are scared of speaking English with foreigners.
25/10/2020 09:44
Newcastle United
30
Useful lesson,today I am teaching my students this lesson,they are scared of speaking English with foreigners.
25/06/2020
points
Nice!
25/06/2020 01:48
Newcastle United
1505
Nice!
07/06/2020
points
In Turkey we usually talk about the weather as well and sometimes about jobs and studies. Also , we talk about which cities we are from and so on .....
07/06/2020 23:51
Manchester United
6536
In Turkey we usually talk about the weather as well and sometimes about jobs and studies. Also , we talk about which cities we are from and so on .....
07/06/2020
points
In these kinds of situations , I'd rather speak about the weather and what I like about England like it's my first visit and I like the people as they are so friendly and so on .....
We can exchange names but later on not the first question when we get to know each other a bit after a small chit-chat
07/06/2020 23:50
Manchester United
6536
In these kinds of situations , I'd rather speak about the weather and what I like about England like it's my first visit and I like the people as they are so friendly and so on .....
We can exchange names but later on not the first question when we get to know each other a bit after a small chit-chat
24/11/2019
points
I like to be still
I wouldn't ask anyone if he's married
In Mexico, the busiest question is about food
24/11/2019 19:40
Wolverhampton Wanderers
435
I like to be still
I wouldn't ask anyone if he's married
In Mexico, the busiest question is about food
19/09/2019
points
i don't mind
to me it's normal
we can start with any thing
19/09/2019 14:00
Manchester United
196
i don't mind
to me it's normal
we can start with any thing
27/08/2019
points
yes
27/08/2019 12:49
Manchester City
1734
yes
27/08/2019
points
ok
27/08/2019 12:48
Manchester City
1734
ok
14/04/2019
points
In Zimbabwe topical issues are usually the best topics to break the ice.But, if the other part is uninterested then try more common topics weather and sport.
14/04/2019 05:33
Chelsea
1749
In Zimbabwe topical issues are usually the best topics to break the ice.But, if the other part is uninterested then try more common topics weather and sport.
29/08/2018
points
I would remain silent
Yes, I would
No
what do you like?
29/08/2018 16:51
Manchester City
11
I would remain silent
Yes, I would
No
what do you like?
29/08/2018
points
Yes because there's nothing wrong.
Only if it's a person that I know.
Football, baloncesto .
In my opinion this video is great! I like this lesson so much.
29/08/2018 16:43
Manchester United
5
Yes because there's nothing wrong.
Only if it's a person that I know.
Football, baloncesto .
In my opinion this video is great! I like this lesson so much.
29/08/2018
points
i try to speak with the persons and ask them their name, amd i dont ask something about her houseband I think that I can break the ice with topics as: videogames, school or basic questions: what time is it?, Can you let me one peso?, etc.
29/08/2018 16:26
Manchester United
7
i try to speak with the persons and ask them their name, amd i dont ask something about her houseband I think that I can break the ice with topics as: videogames, school or basic questions: what time is it?, Can you let me one peso?, etc.
29/08/2018
points
I would not be delighted if someone I don't know asked me personal questions. Small talk topics in my country are tv shows, concerts, tourists vacations etc.
29/08/2018 16:20
Manchester United
5
I would not be delighted if someone I don't know asked me personal questions. Small talk topics in my country are tv shows, concerts, tourists vacations etc.
29/08/2018
points
I would speak so that the tension would be lost and if I would ask your name to someone to start the conversatio
Do not ask if he is married directly, he would do it discreetly
they talk about their vocation
29/08/2018 16:19
Manchester United
12
I would speak so that the tension would be lost and if I would ask your name to someone to start the conversatio
Do not ask if he is married directly, he would do it discreetly
they talk about their vocation
29/08/2018
points
No, I'll stay quiet, waiting my turn.
No, because is a personal topic.
The traffic, the crime, the new president, the music that everyone listens.
29/08/2018 16:07
Wolverhampton Wanderers
7
No, I'll stay quiet, waiting my turn.
No, because is a personal topic.
The traffic, the crime, the new president, the music that everyone listens.
29/08/2018
points
from my point of view for making small talk be necessary: do not personal question
29/08/2018 16:06
Wolverhampton Wanderers
4
from my point of view for making small talk be necessary: do not personal question
29/08/2018
points
In the video there are 3 persons that speak but are strangers and try meet of differents topics.
29/08/2018 16:05
Wolverhampton Wanderers
4
In the video there are 3 persons that speak but are strangers and try meet of differents topics.
29/08/2018
points
In my country people always ask the person's name when they are meeting someone. So for me isn't bad to ask somedoy his or her name.
I wouldn't ask sombady if he or she is married because I don't know that person very well. And it would make the person feel uncomfortable.
Usually in Mexico we ask things like Age, Music, Degree, Where they live, etc.
29/08/2018 16:04
Manchester United
13
In my country people always ask the person's name when they are meeting someone. So for me isn't bad to ask somedoy his or her name.
I wouldn't ask sombady if he or she is married because I don't know that person very well. And it would make the person feel uncomfortable.
Usually in Mexico we ask things like Age, Music, Degree, Where they live, etc.
29/08/2018
points
I would stay quiet in dev's situation and probably I would ask a person's name.
No, I wouldn't ask if someone is married.
In my country the topics for small talk are family, holidays, music, school,etc.
29/08/2018 16:02
Manchester City
6
I would stay quiet in dev's situation and probably I would ask a person's name.
No, I wouldn't ask if someone is married.
In my country the topics for small talk are family, holidays, music, school,etc.
29/08/2018
points
In my opionion I would not ask any person about his name in the first and small conversation. Furthermore, I would not ask people about about their personal life such as mariage divorce and what they like or don't like.
29/08/2018 16:02
West Ham United
7
In my opionion I would not ask any person about his name in the first and small conversation. Furthermore, I would not ask people about about their personal life such as mariage divorce and what they like or don't like.
29/08/2018
points
If I were in Dev´s situation I would to ask the person´s name to start a conversation
If I were with an stranger I wouldn´t ask if he/she is married. Because that ask is personal and uncomfortable
We usually break the ice asking the time, the person´s name or asking about an opinion of something
29/08/2018 16:02
Manchester United
13
If I were in Dev´s situation I would to ask the person´s name to start a conversation
If I were with an stranger I wouldn´t ask if he/she is married. Because that ask is personal and uncomfortable
We usually break the ice asking the time, the person´s name or asking about an opinion of something
29/08/2018
points
In my opionion I would not ask any person about his name in the first and small conversation. Furthermore, I would not ask people about about their personal life such as mariage divorce and what they like or don't like.
29/08/2018 16:01
West Ham United
7
In my opionion I would not ask any person about his name in the first and small conversation. Furthermore, I would not ask people about about their personal life such as mariage divorce and what they like or don't like.
29/08/2018
points
*in the dev's situation, I would stay quiet and don't ask the person's name.
*I would not ask personal information about the person that i try to talk.
*the topics tha we dialogue in small talk probably are the weather, the music that he or she listen, the likes that the person have,if she or he read a book,etc
29/08/2018 16:01
West Ham United
6
*in the dev's situation, I would stay quiet and don't ask the person's name.
*I would not ask personal information about the person that i try to talk.
*the topics tha we dialogue in small talk probably are the weather, the music that he or she listen, the likes that the person have,if she or he read a book,etc
29/08/2018
points
I am talk with the people.I do not quiet during the convertation. I aks what is your marrital status in this moment?what the people hates those questions.the mexico I ask about your like .
29/08/2018 15:59
Manchester United
5
I am talk with the people.I do not quiet during the convertation. I aks what is your marrital status in this moment?what the people hates those questions.the mexico I ask about your like .
29/08/2018
points
I'd not try to start the conversation, because it's uncomfortable.
I'd not ask the person's name.
I'd not ask if someone is married.
In my country, talk about football, food, etc.
29/08/2018 15:59
Manchester United
11
I'd not try to start the conversation, because it's uncomfortable.
I'd not ask the person's name.
I'd not ask if someone is married.
In my country, talk about football, food, etc.
29/08/2018
points
I would speak
If I asked your name
I would not ask if he is married
in my country there is a lot of talk about soccer
29/08/2018 15:59
Chelsea
5
I would speak
If I asked your name
I would not ask if he is married
in my country there is a lot of talk about soccer
29/08/2018
points
I did not know a more fun way to learn English, jajaja.
29/08/2018 15:58
Chelsea
7
I did not know a more fun way to learn English, jajaja.
29/08/2018
points
I am talk with the people.I do not quiet during the convertation. I aks what is your marrital status in this moment?what the people hates those questions.the mexico I ask about your like .
29/08/2018 15:58
Manchester United
5
I am talk with the people.I do not quiet during the convertation. I aks what is your marrital status in this moment?what the people hates those questions.the mexico I ask about your like .
29/08/2018
points
1. maybe I would talk about topic diferent
2. yes, I would ask the name of the person
3. No, I don´t would ask that question
29/08/2018 15:58
Southampton
9
1. maybe I would talk about topic diferent
2. yes, I would ask the name of the person
3. No, I don´t would ask that question
29/08/2018
points
It´s a very fun way to learn english.
29/08/2018 15:57
Liverpool
16
It´s a very fun way to learn english.
29/08/2018
points
Normally in my country we talk about the results of football although in Dev's situation I would only follow the flow to the conversation without saying personal information, I would not ask if someone is married to the contrary, I would only ask their name and mood
29/08/2018 15:57
Manchester United
7
Normally in my country we talk about the results of football although in Dev's situation I would only follow the flow to the conversation without saying personal information, I would not ask if someone is married to the contrary, I would only ask their name and mood
29/08/2018
points
gooooood
29/08/2018 15:56
Manchester United
8
gooooood
29/08/2018
points
I would remain silent
yes, I would ask your name
no
What like? or, where do you live?
29/08/2018 15:55
Manchester City
11
I would remain silent
yes, I would ask your name
no
What like? or, where do you live?
29/08/2018
points
In my opinion I would try to start a conversation with someone who I don't know but I don't ask the person's name because it would take like a personal question even you don't want to show in that way.
29/08/2018 15:55
Manchester United
3
In my opinion I would try to start a conversation with someone who I don't know but I don't ask the person's name because it would take like a personal question even you don't want to show in that way.
29/08/2018
points
I think that first ask How are you? or the name for break the ice, i don't want the other person are bored.
No, this is the personal question and not is confortable for the other people
In Mexico, people always talk about family, school, parties, etc.
29/08/2018 15:55
Chelsea
14
I think that first ask How are you? or the name for break the ice, i don't want the other person are bored.
No, this is the personal question and not is confortable for the other people
In Mexico, people always talk about family, school, parties, etc.
29/08/2018
points
I think that first ask How are you? or the name for break the ice, i don't want the other person are bored.
No, this is the personal question and not is confortable for the other people
In Mexico, people always talk about family, school, parties, etc.
29/08/2018 15:54
Chelsea
14
I think that first ask How are you? or the name for break the ice, i don't want the other person are bored.
No, this is the personal question and not is confortable for the other people
In Mexico, people always talk about family, school, parties, etc.
29/08/2018
points
not very difficult
29/08/2018 15:53
Leicester City
7
not very difficult
29/08/2018
points
1.yes, as long as it is not inappropriate
2. the truth is not
3. the time is requested.
29/08/2018 15:53
Manchester City
6
1.yes, as long as it is not inappropriate
2. the truth is not
3. the time is requested.
29/08/2018
points
easy
29/08/2018 15:53
Arsenal
14
easy
29/08/2018
points
I would talk and say my name
No, I woldn´t
Soccer, food,parties
29/08/2018 15:49
Leicester City
7
I would talk and say my name
No, I woldn´t
Soccer, food,parties
29/08/2018
points
idk, but I agree, it was very fun to answer and... I think this can help me to "break the ice" with my crush (?? actually I don´t have one), but what can I say? >:v is too much for me :'v (??), btw... MikaYuu es cannon bro
29/08/2018 15:49
Crystal Palace
7
idk, but I agree, it was very fun to answer and... I think this can help me to "break the ice" with my crush (?? actually I don´t have one), but what can I say? >:v is too much for me :'v (??), btw... MikaYuu es cannon bro
29/08/2018
points
Me pueden pasar las respuestas, por favor?
29/08/2018 15:44
Liverpool
9
Me pueden pasar las respuestas, por favor?
28/08/2018
points
I think that first you can break the ice with a casual question like "What do you weather prefer?" or maybe "Where is the doctor? " or only start with "Hi, the doctor arrive late" and then ask for your the last holidays or your favorite sport and if you have trust you can ask your name.
28/08/2018 18:09
Manchester United
6
I think that first you can break the ice with a casual question like "What do you weather prefer?" or maybe "Where is the doctor? " or only start with "Hi, the doctor arrive late" and then ask for your the last holidays or your favorite sport and if you have trust you can ask your name.