| Many Americans find silence
uncomfortable during a buffet or a formal dinner. {{U}}(21) {{/U}}in the
States there is the {{U}}(22) {{/U}} practice of making "small talk" in
certain social situation. Small talk deals {{U}}(23) {{/U}} various
topics, superficially, simply for the sake of keeping a conversation
{{U}}(24) {{/U}}. The topics {{U}}(25) {{/U}} include the
weather, sports, college courses, clothing, food, etc. Small talk is
{{U}}(26) {{/U}} useful at social gathering when you meet someone for
the first time, or when polite conversation is expected but no serious
discussion {{U}}(27) {{/U}}. It is common but not necessarily expected that one should know {{U}}(28) {{/U}} in a group before engaging him or her in conversation. {{U}}(29) {{/U}}, at a party or {{U}}(30) {{/U}} informal social gatherings, a simple " May I join you?" and a self-introduction is normally sufficient {{U}}(31) {{/U}} acceptance into a group and to join in a conversation. In some {{U}}(32) {{/U}} , such as the lobby of a concert hall or theater, a waiting room or a classroom, it is common for {{U}}(33) {{/U}} to start a conversation even {{U}}(34) {{/U}} an introduction. {{U}} (35) {{/U}} the informality that pervades U. S. society, people in the States expect those whom they {{U}}(36) {{/U}} to put aside {{U}}(37) {{/U}} they are doing and listen. As a {{U}}(38) {{/U}}, the conversation distance between two people is at least two or three {{U}}(39) {{/U}}. Standing at a closer range will make many Americans feel {{U}}(40) {{/U}}. |