There are some social rituals that we cannot avoid, especially when interacting with people we don’t know, and nothing is more universally disliked than the ritual of small talk. Small talk is a fine art that balances the use of some better questions to open the conversation and then navigate the talk without lingering on obligatory foundational topics about how one’s weekend was or discussing the weather. If you find yourself avoiding social interactions due to being uncomfortable and embarrassed about small talk, here are eight ways to get better at it and not make it awkward or superficial (Duhigg, 2024; Haupt, 2023; Lee, 2025). 1. Ask better questions 2. Improve your replies 3. Ask better follow-up questions 4. Take cues from your surroundings 5. Move beyond the foundational topics (e.g., the weather talk) 6. Choose your compliments wisely 7. Skip specific topics such as religion and politics 8. Know how to end the conversation gracefully
Written by a board-certified psychiatrist and an expert on self-management of depression, Harpreet Duggal, MD, this blog focuses on practical and proven methods of treating depression that go beyond medications and traditional therapy. It discusses elements of healthy lifestyle, positive psychology, relationships, values, strengths, communication, and wellness. No AI-assisted technology has been used in this blog. The content of the blog is not to be construed as treatment advice.