Do Europeans like small talk?

In Europe, small talk such as asking a neighbor “how are you doing” is considered as a regular conversation. Unless you’re genuinely interested in the answer, you don’t ask this question. European travelers often confuse Americans by their unexpected ability to respond.

Do Germans not like small talk?

Germans don’t do small talk. (Well, sometimes they do – but they rarely admit it.) Most German-speakers will tell you that their language is too serious and precise to be wasted on small talk or chitchat, especially with strangers. In Germany such “superficial” interaction is frowned upon.

Is it rude not to make small talk?

Not making small talk when it’s expected can come across as a personal snub. The alternative to being polite is, unfortunately, being rude. This makes other people feel uncomfortable and even upset. Many of us have to make small talk at work.

Do French like small talk?

The French are better at small talk than Americans because they don’t ask questions about work. Jobs are boring. Charles Platiau/Reuters In France, they’ve got baguettes, fancy hats and better conversation. That’s because it’s a no-no to ask people what they do.

Why do Americans ask strangers what they do for a living?

Whatever the reason—the influence of a Protestant work ethic, or a desperate attempt to not appear classist—North Americans habitually start a conversation with strangers by asking what they do for a living. It’s one of many customs in which American cultural norms deviate from those of the UK and Europe.

Is it rude to ask a French person where they vacation?

Counterintuitively, the French do not find it rude or elitist to ask about where a person likes to vacation, but that’s because it’s common for people there to take an average 30 days of paid vacation per year. In any case, it’s a nice alternative to staring blankly into the middle distance for too long the next time you encounter a stranger.

What are the best things to do with strangers?

For strangers, tier one is safest. Other options here include sports (including historical, memorable moments), pop culture, and hobbies. “People say hobbies are boring, but what if a person’s hobby is particle physics?”

Why is it important to talk to new people when traveling?

Talking to new people isn’t only a shortcut to learning more about the ways other people live, and perhaps stepping outside your own social echo chambers, it’s also beneficial: Sociologists have found that even weak ties, like those made while chatting with fellow commuters or travelers, are linked to feelings of well-being.