small talk
Trite, inconsequential, or benign conversation, usually engaged in with strangers or slight acquaintances out of a sense of politeness or social obligation. I dread small talk at parties, so I usually only hang around people I know. The small talk around the water cooler every Monday is always dreadfully boring. I always try to engage in a bit of small talk with all of my clients when I hold a seminar like this.
small talk
Casual or trivial conversation, chitchat, as in We stood around making small talk until the guest of honor arrived. The small in this expression alludes to unimportant subjects of conversation, as opposed to serious or weighty ones. [Mid-1700s]
(make) ˈsmall talk
(take part in) polite conversation about unimportant things: Maria introduced me to her parents, and we sat there making small talk for a while.