Small talk can really break the ice when you’re interacting with someone you’ve just met or barely know. It’s how you get to know someone, have a brief chat with the man on the plane sitting next to you, or get acquainted with the folks you’ll be working with. This chapter helps you master a few key phrases and questions you can use to establish a relationship.
Xianliao (shyan lyaow) means “small talk” in Chinese. Xiantan (shyan tahn) is “to chat” . . . either term does the trick.
