10 Tips on the Art of Small Talk

Tips to Avoid Foot-in-Mouth Disease When Making Small Talk at Big Parties or Gatherings

1. Plan to discuss only safe subjects. Avoid hot political or controversial topics. Steer clear of talking about race, sex, money or religion.
2. Change the subject if you drift into choppy conversational waters.
3. Give evasive answers to those people, particularly family members, who make your evening miserable. Do not let them push your emotional buttons. Steer clear of the usual suspects by “buddying up” with a sympathetic cohort. Repeatedly remind yourself that you will not react to their comments. Make it a mental mantra.
4. Be prepared to back up anything you say. Even the most private remarks may be quoted or misquoted. Don't say anything you'll regret.
5. Avoid debates and arguments. At cocktail parties, there are only losers.
6. Limit “schmoozing” to 15 minutes per person if need be.
7. Back slightly away from the person with whom you're talking to avoid crowding them.
8. Don't monopolize the host or hostess.
9. Don't force wittiness or use words you don't know.
10. Apologize on the spot (and in writing the next day) if you say or do something offensive or hurtful.

—From Maura Graber, director of the RSVP Institute of Etiquette in Ontario, California, 2006

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia