Making Small Talk at Work
Frederic makes small talk on various topics.
Making light conversations is the art of diplomacy around the coffee machine. But what to talk about beyond sports and the weather?
This week our schedule of English conversations has had some hiccups. Our schedule did not unfold as planned. Things tend to get in the way. In fact, it is very rare that a schedule goes according to plan. As a result, our plan needs a flexible schedule.
A “hiccup” is a very good way of pointing at a problem without using the word “problem”. Careful though, the consequences of a hiccup may be huge!
“To unfold a plan”, or “to unroll a plan”. The expressions come from the old days when paper was made in the form of a roll or scrolls, before there were books! People would write on a long sheet of paper and roll it up for storage.
So, when showing a plan, people had to unroll the scroll on which the plan was written on.
Today, you “scroll-up or scroll-down” on your screen to read further!
One of the things that came in the way of the schedule is that I had to meet with my bank. I am planning on buying an apartment. There is a lot of paperwork and it is complicated. What makes it even more complicated is that it is a first investment for me. It is strange in France, that asking for a loan can generate so much paperwork. It really makes you feel like the system wants to make it difficult for people to improve their lives. It is natural to buy the house you will live in. But why is the system making the process of applying for a loan so complicated?
“You meet with someone.”
The bank is considered a person. Actually, a business is considered by law, as having a legal existence. So, it is okay to say “I meet with my bank.”
To plan on + VERB+ing
“You plan an investment.”>
Acquiring an apartment represents making an investment. So you make plans to be able to become the owner of the apartment you would like to buy.
“Paperwork” is “record-keeping work often incidental to a more important task” (source: Merriam-Webster).
Paperwork is often used to describe administrative tasks required to get something done.
“To make someone feel” is to make someone be aware of something.
“To apply for something” is to ask to be accepted for that something. For example:
- You apply for a loan.
- You apply for College.
- You apply for a job.
Maybe the problem comes from the fact that the French in general do not like being happy. Actually, when looking at the most popular candidates to the French 2017 presidential elections, those candidates were always complaining! In addition, the French elected Macron in 2017, and are now complaining about Macron’s policy.
Be very careful when talking about politics at work!
Avoid talking politics at work.
But here, Frederic is not talking about politics, he is simply making some sort of joke. Frederic’s joke is not offending anybody!
The new job is coming along nicely and I am learning the processes as well as the nuts and bolts of the operations before I can forge ahead.
“To come along” means to make progress.
Here, Frederic is telling us that he is feeling more and more comfortable in his new job:
- he is accomplishing the tasks more easily,
- he is more at ease with his clients and colleagues,
- etc.
Here, as a result of learning the details of his new job, Frederic is telling us that he will be able to “move with a sudden increase of speed and power” (source: Merriam-Webster) in getting his tasks done.
This requires me to exercise some diplomatic skills, because I feel that the people I am dealing with, are holding back some information. My objective is to try to wrap those people around my little finger in the future so I can obtain the information necessary to carry out my mission. Right now I am opening the channels of communication and trying to keep them even more open.
This means building a good working relationship with my business counterparts.
“To deal with someone” is to do business with someone.
“To deal someone something” is to deliver or administer something to someone.
“To hold back information” is to keep the information for oneself, rather than share the information.
“To wrap someone around your little finder” means that you can ask that person anything you want and they will do it. You have complete control over that person.
“To carry out a mission” is to complete successfully an assignment.
“To open the channels of communication” is to communicate openly without any restraint.
“A working relationship” is a relationship between colleagues that enables colleagues to work together.
Conversations in the Workplace
- Introducing oneself in public
- Having a one-to-one conversation
- Making a business phone call
- Meeting people socially and professionally
- Organizing a schedule
- Feeling sick in the workplace
- Making small talk at work
- Sharing bank-holiday activities
- Commenting on meetings
- Commenting on the results of the elections