If you could ban one overused small-talk question forever, which would it be?

B Natural answer

I would ban How was your weekend? because it gets asked so often that people answer on autopilot. Most of the time, you hear 'good' or 'busy,' and then the conversation just stops. I think What have you been into lately? is a much better choice, because it gives the other person room to talk about something specific. If you want small talk to feel real, you need questions that invite a story, not just a quick polite answer. Even simple chats are better when they sound less scripted.

Key phrases in this answer

• How was your weekend? — A very common small-talk question about the past weekend.“How was your weekend? is polite, but people often answer quickly and move on.”
• What have you been into lately? — A friendly way to ask what someone likes or is spending time on now.“What have you been into lately? sounds more open than a job question.”
• room to talk — Enough space in a conversation to say more than one short answer.“That question gives people room to talk about something specific.”
• invite a story — To encourage someone to give a fuller, more personal answer.“Good small-talk questions invite a story instead of a one-word reply.”
• What do you do? — A common small-talk question about someone's job or work.“What do you do? is often the first question people ask at a party.”
• What are you excited about right now? — A warm question that asks about current excitement or plans.“What are you excited about right now? can lead to a much better conversation.”