How to 'make' conversation?

[freckledface]

Hi,

I am at a loss what to talk about with other mums on the school run, just smile sheepishly. Most of them are quite friendly,but don't know what to say besides talking about the school,the children or the weather.

What things would be okay to talk about between 'strangers' without coming across as nosey or too familiar?

Thanks

Have you thought about joining PTA or equivalent - gives you an "in" with some of them and it gets easier once you know a couple of people.

Or just a question about how their LO is settling in maybe?

It's difficult but I bet there are 10 other mums in the playground thinking the same thing.

Thanks. Thing is I am a new parent parent there-school change ,so most have asked me if DD's settling in okay! Don't really want to me invovled with the PTA, got hands full with younger DCs. I am also fairly new in England, so don't want to offend, because quite aware of cultural differences.

I think you can talk about anything that affects both of you.

So you can make small talk about Christmas Holidays, or the school closing for the strike, or the nativity play, or something that was on the news that day.

Or you can always just compliment something they're wearing :) That can often start a bit of a conversation....

did you have a nice weekend?

To be honest, I usually find talking about the school, the children and the weather quite easily fills my time when waiting with parents I don't know well, but I understand you might want some more.

How are you?
How was your weekend?
Doing anything this weekend?
I like your boots/scarf/bag/pushchair/necklace/hat.
What did you get up to today?
Are you from XX (wherever your school is located) originally?

Most of these if answered with more than a single syllable can be used for follow-on questions. You just have to listen to the answer given, make a comment and question to follow on from that.

Also, think about arranging a play date with some other child in your daughter's class and invite the parent along. A good chance to make more than just minor small talk and actually get to know them!

Swapping useful kid-related information seems to occupy all of my time when I'm with other parents. There's no end to the trivia I think I need to know. Some of it is just-in-case, because it doesn't really apply to my own kids, but I often find it useful because I can pass it on to other parents!

For example, we talk about kid-friendly dentists/doctors/hairdressers, out of school activities, places to go such as the best play areas or museums, which toys are best liked and most played with (a popular topic at this time of year!), what would make a suitable pet for a child of a certain age and where to buy it and what to beware of.

Most of these are good subjects because everybody will have an opinion - even if they just warn you off their own dentist or the expensive toy they bought which the kids played with for less than a week!

Will try those, thank you! Funny how different cultures are. In my country, if someone asks me what plan I had for the weekend/what I had done that day, I would wonder why they wanted to know my business. Really different...

Off to try those! Thank you

That is funny!

What would 'small talk' consist of in your culture?

Market prices, government, inflation, political unrest,etc. Very general stuff like that. Sounds a bit too much to talk about on the playground here,doesn't it?

As a rule the only things you can't talk about are:

• Money
• Politics
• Religion

:)

Thank you, Indigo! Amused by the differences, but thanks for that!