Small talk is meaningless conversation in terms of content, but is often seen as socially important in certain situations, or context. In many English-speaking countries, it can be viewed as rude or unfriendly not to make small talk. Non-personal comments about non-controversial subjects are usually considered as appropriate small talk.

Discussing the weather with people who you don't really know is an example of small talk that many of us are very familiar with on a daily basis. We may chat about the weather with the cashier at the supermarket or with the attendant at the gas station. Small talk may also be related to the situation such as waiting in line. People in the line may comment to others about how slow it is in the post office or bank that day, for instance. We also engage in small talk with people we may see every day but don't really know such as those we share the elevator with in our office building.

Small talk is common at parties when guests may know the host but not each other. It is considered rude not to mingle and speak with other guests at social functions, so small talk can break the ice and get guests chatting. Compliments may be a type of small talk such as one woman at party complementing another on her dress. Guests at the buffet table may make small talk about the types of food offered as they place items onto their plates.

Some people like small talk because they find silence uncomfortable and/or they enjoy communicating verbally. Others enjoy meeting new people and use small talk to start conversations. Some people don't like making small talk at all and often dread going to parties at least partly because of it.

When making small talk, especially with strangers or those you don't know very well, it's important to observe certain socially acceptable conventions. First, small talk should be general and not personal or about controversial topics. Second, while compliments are acceptable, they shouldn't refer to the person's body or sound like a pick-up line.