Small Talk Practice 2: At the Office

This page is a practice session based on the language of small talk in English , in this case at the office.

Read the small talk below and find the 10 mistakes. Then check your answers.

Woman: Hi there.

Man: Hi. I haven’t seen you around here before. Have you been working long?

Woman: No, I’ve only been here a few months. I work in the Human Resources Department.

Man: Oh, you must make more money than I do then. I’m in Sales.

Woman: Sales sounds like an interesting job.

Man: It’s okay. Hey, you look like you could really have a coffee.

Woman: Yes, it’s been a really hectic week.

Man: Tell me about it! At least it’s supposing to be a nice weekend.

Woman: Yes, I’ve listened that they are calling for blue skies.

Man: Say, did you happen to catch the game last night?

Woman: No, I was working late.

Man: It was a great game. We won in overtime.

Woman: Actually, I don’t even know who was playing. I don’t really follow sports.

Man: The Chiefs! Do you think they’re going to make it to the finals this year?

Woman: I’m not sure. Well, I better get back to my desk.

Man: Speaking of desks, what do you think of the new office furniture?

Woman: It’s nice, but I would rather get paid for my overtime hours than have new furniture.

Man: Oh. Well, I think I’ll be heading home early today. It might be snow.
Woman: I know. I can’t believe all of this cold weather. Hopefully Spring will come soon.

Man: I can’t wait until Spring.

Woman: Me neither! My divorce will finally come through by then!

Now check your answers. Did you find all 10 mistakes?

1.
Man: Hi. I haven’t seen you around here before. Have you been working long?
Correction: I haven’t seen you around here before. Have you worked here long?

2.
Man: Oh, you must make more money than I do then. I’m in Sales.
Correction: Oh, that must be why I haven’t seen you around. I’m in Sales.
It is inappropriate to discuss how much people make in an office during small talk.

3.
Man: It’s okay. Hey, you look like you could really have a coffee.
Correction: It’s okay. Hey, you look like you could really use a coffee.

4.
Man: Tell me about it! At least it’s supposing to be a nice weekend.
Correction: Tell me about it! At least it’s supposed to be a nice weekend.

5.
Woman: Yes, I’ve listened that they are calling for blue skies.
Correction: Yes, I’ve heard that they are calling for blue skies.

6.
Man: The Chiefs! Do you think they’re going to make it to the finals this year?
Correction: The man should not continue with this subject because the woman is obviously not interested in it.

7.
Man: Speaking of desks, what do you think of the new office furniture?
Correction: The man did not take the cue that the woman wants to end the conversation.

8.
Woman: It’s nice, but I would rather get paid for my overtime hours than have new furniture.
Correction: Giving your opinion about a controversial subject is not appropriate when making small talk with someone you don’t know or trust.

9.
Man: Oh. Well, I think I’ll be heading home early today. It might be snow.
Correction: Oh. Well, I think I’ll be heading home early today. It looks like it might snow.

10.
Man: Me neither! My divorce will finally come through by then!
Correction: Private information about one’s personal life is not acceptable.