How to Make Small Talk Before a Business Meeting

1 Example dialogue

Read the conversation. Then read it out loud. Try both parts.

Priya has joined a video meeting a few minutes early. Tom, a colleague from the London office, is already there.

Tom Morning, Priya! You're nice and early.
Priya Morning, Tom! Yes, I wanted to make sure my camera was working. How are things with you?
Tom Not bad, thanks. It's been a busy week, to be honest. How about you?
Priya Same here. We've got a big deadline on Friday. Did you do anything nice at the weekend?
Tom I went walking in the countryside. The weather was lovely for once. What about you?
Priya That sounds great. I just had a quiet one at home. I needed the rest!
Tom Fair enough. Ah, I think everyone's here now.
Priya Great. Shall we get started?

These are the most useful phrases from the dialogue, with what they mean and when to use them.

“How are things with you?”
A friendly way to ask "How are you?". It sounds relaxed and natural with colleagues.
“Not bad, thanks.”
A very common British answer. It means "I'm fine". British people often say "not bad" even when they are happy.

UK / US: Americans more often say "Good, thanks!" Both are fine, but "not bad" sounds very British.
“It's been a busy week, to be honest.”
Use this to share a small, safe fact about your week. "To be honest" makes it sound personal and friendly.
“Did you do anything nice at the weekend?”
The classic Monday or Tuesday question in the UK. It is safe with almost anyone.

UK / US: British English says "at the weekend". American English says "on the weekend".
“The weather was lovely for once.”
British people talk about the weather a lot. "For once" means it does not happen often, so it is a small joke.
“Fair enough.”
A short way to say "I understand" or "that makes sense". Very common in British English.
“Shall we get started?”
A polite way to end the small talk and start the meeting.

UK / US: "Shall we...?" is more common in British English. Americans often say "Should we get started?" or "Let's get started."

Answer each question out loud, not in your head. Use the key phrases. If you can, record yourself on your phone and listen back.

Someone asks you, "How are things with you?" Give a short answer and then ask them a question back.
It is Monday morning. Ask a colleague about their weekend. Then answer the same question about your own weekend.
Describe your week so far in two or three sentences. Use "to be honest".
The meeting is about to start. How do you politely end the small talk?
Think of a real meeting you have this week. What could you talk about for the first two minutes?

Many learners make these mistakes in this situation. Here is the natural version.

Not: Fine, thank you. And you?

Say: Not bad, thanks. How about you? It's been a busy week here.

"Fine, thank you. And you?" is correct, but it sounds like a textbook. Add a small detail. This gives the other person something to talk about.
Not: How much do you earn in your new job?

Say: How are you finding the new job?

Money, politics, religion and age are not safe small talk topics at work in the UK. Ask about the experience, not the numbers.
Not: What did you do in the weekend?

Say: What did you do at the weekend?

In British English we say "at the weekend". "On the weekend" is American. "In the weekend" is not correct.
Not: (Silence until the meeting starts)

Say: "Morning! Are you having a busy week?"

Silence can feel cold in English-speaking workplaces. One simple question is enough to start.

Lesson created with PlanwiseESL.