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Business English from All Ears English

BE 270: What to Say in the Elevator at Work

Jun 18, 2024
The hosts discuss appropriate phrases for elevator conversations, navigating responses to 'how are you?' based on relationships, engaging in honest small talk with colleagues, and emphasizing the importance of honesty in workplace interactions
23:16

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • In elevator conversations, tailor your response based on relationship dynamics, balancing honesty and discretion.
  • Social norms govern elevator interactions, emphasizing the importance of adhering to established norms for brief encounters.

Deep dives

Elevator Conversations with Different Relationships

In elevator interactions, the appropriateness of the conversation depends on the relationship dynamics, such as between friends, colleagues, or supervisors. When speaking to close friends or longtime colleagues, responses like 'Honestly, I've been better, but I'm hanging in there' or 'Oof, it's been a rough week, but I'm managing' maintain honesty without revealing too many personal details. In contrast, conversations with coworkers you don't know well should remain professional with responses like 'Doing all right. How are you?' to avoid delving into personal matters.

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