Every area seems to have one well-known local character. Is there someone like that near you?

A natural way to answer

There's a lady who runs the corner shop and seems to know everyone's name. She's been there for decades, and she's become something of a local institution. People genuinely look forward to seeing her.

Key phrases to use

• stop for a chat — to pause what you're doing to have a friendly, informal conversation“She always stops for a chat when we bump into each other.”
• familiar face — a person you recognise and see regularly, even if you don't know them well“It's nice to see a familiar face at a big event.”
• strike up a conversation — to start a conversation, often with someone you don't know“He struck up a conversation with the woman at the bus stop.”