Small talk is the entryway to building personal and professional relationships, whether it be about the weather, a favorite Netflix series, or anything else.
Western men are sometimes taken aback by the cultural contrasts between Slavic and Western countries when it comes to small talk. In Western countries, people frequently use small talk to approach strangers or to test the waters before entering into more serious topics. Slavic women, meanwhile, are less likely to strike up a conversation with total strangers. They take longer to warm up and may even appear distant to foreigners.
Why should you learn Russian small talk?
Small talk is ideal for those awkward moments at the start of a new in-person or online language interaction when you and your Slavic girlfriend don’t know what to talk about. Small talk words can assist you to keep the discussion flowing, which is what the exchange is all about.
When you study Russian small talk, you become acquainted with fundamental and often-used Russian vocabulary. These will serve as the foundation for learning intermediate and advanced Russian if you want!
Small talk expressions might help you have a more realistic experience if you’re planning a vacation to Russia or another Russian-speaking region.
Common Russian expressions to start a conversation
Привeт! (Hi!) / Здравствуйте! (Hello!)
These are two ways of saying “hello,” which should always be said first while establishing a small chat! The first should be used to greet a Slavic woman, a friend, a parent, or a kid. The second might be used to express respect for an older person or a business acquaintance.
Kaк дела? (How are you?)
This is the expression that usually follows “hello” in basic talks in any language.
Кaк погодa? (How is the weather?)
Weather and small chat are virtually always related. It’s a safe discussion topic on which everyone may weigh in.
While many countries throughout the world have little variation in weather throughout the year, Russia is the polar opposite. Russia has all four seasons and experiences them all. If you’ve never seen a genuine Russian winter, you know nothing about being cold to the bone.
Давайте познакомимcя! (Let’s introduce ourselves!)
Do you see a lovely Slavic girl you’d want to get to know better? The sentence above may be used in a variety of contexts! All you have to do is be bold enough to say it.
Меня зовyт… А как вас зовут? (My name is… What is your name?)
You should introduce yourself and ask the Slavic lady’s name when you wish to start a more intimate conversation.
It would be awkward to approach a woman and introduce oneself out of the blue, so make sure to add some small talk before doing so. Use the weather first since it is a great starting point for introducing yourself.
Я из…, a oткуда вы? (I am from…, where are you from?)
All Slavic ladies will recognize you as a foreigner, but not all will be able to figure out where you’re from. Make the process easy for them by stating it straight away. They may know some English, which will aid them in the dialogue.
Even if you are in Russia, you may always ask the woman where she is from, especially if you are in a large city. This is especially true in Moscow and St. Petersburg, where women go from smaller places to study and work.