Safe and Unsafe Small Talk Topics
Safe and Unsafe Small Talk Topics
Part 1: Reading
In Canada, small talk is usually short, light, and friendly. However, you cannot talk about everything with a stranger or a coworker. Some topics are safe, but other topics are unsafe.
Safe topics: are light and non-personal. They make people feel comfortable. Good examples of safe topics are the weather, hobbies, weekend plans, sports, or food.
Unsafe topics: are too personal or private. They can make people feel uncomfortable, angry, or awkward. In Canadian culture, it is usually rude to ask strangers or coworkers about their age, money, salary, weight, religion, or politics.
Knowing the difference between safe and unsafe topics is a great way to build confidence and show respect when you talk to new people.
Part 2: Vocabulary List
1. Safe: Easy, friendly, and non-personal; will not make anyone uncomfortable.
Example: The weather is a safe topic to discuss with anyone.
2. Unsafe: Dangerous or bad to talk about; can make people uncomfortable or upset.
Example: Asking about someone's salary is an unsafe small talk topic.
3. Awkward: Feeling uncomfortable, embarrassed, or unsure of what to do.
Example: Asking private questions can make a conversation feel awkward.
4. Private: Personal; for only one person or family, not for everyone to know.
Example: Your income and bank details are private information.
5. Salary: The money you earn from your job.
Example: Never ask a coworker about their monthly salary.
6. Confidence: Feeling sure of yourself and your abilities.
Example: Learning good small talk topics gives you confidence to speak.
7. Topics: Subjects or ideas that people talk or write about.
Example: Weather and sports are common small talk topics.
8. Light: Simple, easy, and not serious.
Example: Small talk is a light conversation with new people.
9. Non-personal: Not about private or secret life details.
Example: Talking about weekend hobbies is non-personal.
10. Comfortable: Feeling relaxed and not worried.
Example: Safe topics make people feel comfortable.
11. Hobbies: Activities you do for fun in your free time (like sports, cooking, or reading).
Example: Gardening and soccer are popular hobbies.
12. Rude: Not polite; showing bad manners.
Example: It is rude to ask a stranger about their money.
13. Coworkers: People who work with you at the same job.
Example: I talk to my coworkers during lunch breaks.
14. Politics: Ideas and activities related to government and political parties.
Example: Avoid talking about politics with people you do not know well.
15. Weight: How heavy a person or thing is.
Example: Never ask someone about their weight.
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Part 3: Categorization Practice (Safe vs. Unsafe)
Look at the list of small talk topics below. Decide if each topic is Safe or Unsafe in Canadian culture.
Talking about yesterday's hockey game. ( ____________ )
Asking someone how much money they make. ( ____________ )
Asking someone about their weekend plans. ( ____________ )
Asking a woman how old she is. ( ____________ )
Complimenting someone’s coat or shoes. ( ____________ )
Asking someone about their religion or political views. ( ____________ )
Talking about your favourite Canadian foods. ( ____________ )
Asking a coworker why they are not married yet. ( ____________ )
Talking about your favourite hobbies. ( ____________ )
Asking a coworker about their weight. ( ____________ )
Asking someone about their weekend plans. ( ____________ )
Asking a person who they voted for in politics. ( ____________ )
Complimenting someone’s coat or shoes. ( ____________ )
Asking a rude question about someone's salary. ( ____________ )
Talking about light topics like soccer or cooking. ( ____________ )
Asking a stranger non-personal questions about the weather. ( ____________ )
Part 4: True or False Questions
Read the sentences below. Write True or False for each one.
Safe topics are personal and private. ( _____ )
Asking about someone's salary is an inappropriate small talk topic. ( _____ )
Sports and food are good examples of safe topics. ( _____ )
Asking private questions can make a conversation feel awkward. ( _____ )
In Canada, it is polite to ask strangers about their age. ( _____ )
Safe topics are light and non-personal. ( _____ )
Asking coworkers about their weight is a polite topic. ( _____ )
Talking about hobbies helps make people feel comfortable. ( _____ )
Politics is a great topic to discuss with strangers at the bus stop. ( _____ )
It is rude to ask private questions in Canadian culture. ( _____ )
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Part 5: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the word bank.
Word Bank: safe - awkward - private - salary - confidence - unsafe - light - comfortable - hobbies - rude - coworkers - politics - weight - non-personal - topics
Talking about politics with strangers is an ____________ topic.
Asking someone about their monthly ____________ can make them feel uncomfortable.
The weather is a very ____________ topic for everyone.
Practising English every day will help build your ____________.
Your religion and health details are ____________ information.
A long silence during a conversation can feel ____________.
Weather and sports are light and ____________ conversation topics.
It is considered ____________ to ask someone about their monthly salary.
My ____________ at work often talk about their weekend plans.
Asking a person about their ____________ can make them feel uncomfortable about their body.
Playing sports, reading, and painting are common ____________.
Safe topics help everyone feel relaxed and ____________.
Talking about government and elections is related to ____________.
Good small talk includes simple ____________ like daily weather.
Keeping conversations ____________ keeps them easy and friendly.
Part 6: Grammar Connection (Present Simple Questions)
Change these statements into Present Simple questions using Do / Does or Is / Are.
(Is / Do) The weather a safe topic?
__________________________________________________?
Where (do / are) coworkers usually make small talk?
__________________________________________________?
(Do / Are) Canadians ask about salary?
__________________________________________________?
(Is / Do) politics an unsafe topic?
__________________________________________________?
What topics ((do / are) safe for small talk?
__________________________________________________?
(Do / Are) Hobbies a safe topic?
__________________________________________________?
(Do / Are) Coworkers talk about politics?
__________________________________________________?
Why (is / d) asking about salary rude?
__________________________________________________?
(Do / Is) You feel comfortable making small talk?
__________________________________________________?
(Is / Do) Asking about weight rude?
__________________________________________________?
(Do / Are) you feel confident speaking to strangers?
__________________________________________________?
How (do / are) safe topics make people feel?
__________________________________________________?
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