University Spanish courses often cover ‘academic’ topics, not real world small talk.
Even if you take conversation courses you might not ever learn how to strike up a conversation in a conference room, break room or at a party.
Here are 10 key phrases in Spanish to smooth over those awkward social moments.
| Do this… | Here’s how: |
| Introduce yourself and identify yourself and what you do. | -Buenas tardes. Soy Heather Smith estudio economía en la Universidad. -Hola. Me llamo Sam Barber y soy el asistente de María Gomez. |
| Say ‘nice to meet you’ when introduced to someone. | Mucho gusto. Encantado/a. Es un placer. |
| Interrupt politely. If you are interrupting someone or are about to enter their office or other personal space. Or when you need to say ‘excuse me’ to take leave of a conversation. | Con permiso. |
| Recognize different ways to say ‘how are you?’ In your class you learn ¿Cómo estás? but don’t be surprised by ¿Qué tal?, ¿Qué onda? ¿Qué hay? ¿Qué hubo? | Appropriate answers are the same as if you had been asked ¿Cómo está?: Muy bien, ¿y Ud.? Bien, gracias. ¿y Ud.? |
| Accept a compliment. If someone compliments you (or your beautiful Spanish), it’s best to be humble. | Gracias. Ud. es muy amable. |
| Network based on people you know in common. | ¿Cómo conoce Ud. a _(person in common)__? |
| Get people talking about themselves and their lives, starting with what they do for a living. | ¿A qué se dedica Ud.? |
| Comment on things around you, such as weather or other circumstances. | ¡Qué ____! ¿no?: ¡Qué frío! ¿no?, ¡Qué interestante! ¿no?, ¡Qué lío! ¿no? |
| Eating requires special respect. | Before beginning to eat anything when you are with other people: ¡Buen provecho! Praise the food: Está rico/a., Está bueno/a. |
| Take leave with more than just ‘Adiós.’ | Que le vaya bien. Que lo pase bien. Que pase un buen fin de semana. |
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