After you are asked a question, answer it like this:
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Participants playing a game on identifying appropriate small talk topics across cultures. |
For instance:
You are asked, “Do you like your job?”
You can answer, “Yes, my job is challenging. As I work at TCS, I get to interact with a lot of foreign clients. Sometimes, I even am able to travel abroad to meet them in person. How about you?”
Typically, in any American greetings or small talk, one can answer with the same question that was asked or a variant of that question. For example:
“How are you?”
“Good. How are you?”
Or…
“How are you?”
“Good, and you?”
One more example:
“Have a great weekend!”
“You, too, have a good one!”
In this case, “one” refers to weekend, and is used in response to other salutations like:
“Have a great holiday.”
“You, too, have a good one!”
“Have fun on your vacation!”
“Same here… have a good one!”
(Do not say “you, too” here unless you and your colleague have the same vacation days off.)
Two important considerations:
Jennifer Kumar, author of this blog, is a corporate trainer helping Indians communicate with more clarity and cultural understanding with their American counterparts. For more information on her Small Talk Program, Building Trust & Good Relationships with US Clients. Contact her today for more information on these exciting and interactive programs for your team today!
Related Posts:
Small Talk with Americans
“How did it go?” – A common question used in American conversations
How to make small talk with US colleagues
T+Y = CH!? – Learn more about sound combining in American English
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