Some people think small talk is a waste of time. Where do you stand on that?

A natural way to answer

I'd say it's underrated. Small talk isn't really about the words; it's a way to build rapport and show you're approachable. It paves the way for deeper conversations later.

Key phrases to use

• get a feel for — start to understand what someone or something is like“I'm still getting a feel for the new job.”
• build rapport — develop a friendly, trusting connection with someone“Good teachers build rapport with their students.”
• paves the way for — makes it easier for something to happen later“This deal paves the way for future cooperation.”
• misses the point — fails to understand the most important part of something“Criticising the price misses the point entirely.”