トーク,トーク,トーク,トーク,トーク!

[ SCRIPT ]

Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk. Banter. Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk. Blab, blabber, jabber, jibber jabber. Gab. Chatterbox. yak. Gossip, that's a good one. Chatter. Idle conversation. Chinwag. Shoot the shit. Chat. Shoot the breeze. Chit chat.

So, basically, small talk.

I'm a talker. I think I'm a expert at small talk. Definitely, definitely. I probably got it from my dad. Yep. I think sometimes I even just talk just to hear myself talk. Not a terrible quality, but I like to talk. He talks, like he talks to everyone. Everyone. Like Everyone! Everywhere! It's a little much. I'm not quite like him, but I like to talk. Yep.

So, I used to do street soliciting. You know, selling things when I walked up and down the street. So many different things really. The point is, small talk, the gift of gab, came in very handy in that situation, indeed. I think as a teacher it comes in really handy as well. Being able to chop it up, and connect with people, it really helps.

In San Francisco, I made it a point to pretty much know everyone in the stores in my neighborhood. Even here, I've made it a point to get to know people. At the bread shop, even though I make my own bread now, I still know the people who work there, 'cause they're very cool. At the farm, Ben's farm, super cool spot, I know the people there. Even the 7/11, I've gotten to know a couple of the staff who work there. You know, "hello, how ya doin?", it's just nice, right? It's just nice.

There's a bit of variety to the reaction. Sometimes people are a little confused. Sometimes people are shocked. Sometimes they're nervous. Other times they want to engage, and they're very excited to talk. So, there is quite a range of reaction.

Here's my question man: In your neighborhood, do you know any people at the local shops? That's my question. Lemme know, I'm curious. Alright, see you later bro! Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk. Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk.

Vocabulary Match

 Gossip / Soliciting  / Gift of gab  / chop it up (slang)  / Confused / Nervous / Street soliciting

1. ___________= To talk, have a conversation.

2. ___________= Casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.

3. ___________ = Showing bewilderment .

4. ___________ = Ask for or try to obtain (something) from someone.

5. ___________ = Directly asking potential customers to purchase goods or services.

6. ___________ = Worried and anxious.

Questions [comprehension]

1. How do some people react to Stephen when he tries making small talk? 2. Who does Stephen think he probably got the ‘gift of gab’ from?

Discussion [conversation starters]

1. Where are you most likely to engage in small talk? 2. Do you know any of your local merchants? 3. Do you like making small talk? Why or why not?