Is it rude to discuss life milestones during small talk? Etiquette coach Alison Cheperdak says that asking about ...

Charles Duhigg, author of "The Power of Habit," argues that small talk isn't an innate skill, but rather a learned behavior that can be studied and crafted to perfectly suit any situation — whether ...

Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN’s Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being. You’re standing in line at ...

Tension: We crave genuine connection but often feel inauthentic or drained by the social rituals designed to create it. Noise: Pop psychology and social pressure frame small talk as a necessary skill ...

A quick back and forth with the cashier at the grocery store. A friendly hello to someone on the elevator. A laugh with a taxi driver. These are all examples of "small talk." Some of us live for small ...

Often relegated to the status of useless chatter, small talk is once again at the heart of debates about our social well-being. Beneath the veneer of triviality, this form of exchange is actually an ...

A close-up of a barista making a delicious latte coffee with milk. “Maybe it’s just a midwestern thing, but can we please stop having the cashiers ask intrusive questions to the patrons as they check ...

ATLANTA — You're standing in line at the supermarket or drugstore when a stranger speaks up. "Hello, how are you?" the stranger greets you. "Good, and you?" might be your response. Your conversation ...

It never fails to surprise me how many people are fearless about delivering speeches and presentations to large audiences but paralyzed by the prospect of making small talk. As a speech and ...

A new study in the United Kingdom reveals that office small talk is becoming less common, particularly among younger generations. About 74% of adults say they struggle to make light conversation in ...

We’ve all been there. Whether it’s checking out at a store or trying to lull the awkwardness when meeting someone new, small talk has been used by all of us. For some people, having these little ...