The Art of Small Talk: Why It’s Common in Australia but Rare in Korea
Small talk is an essential part of social interactions in many Western cultures, but it plays a much smaller role in other parts of the world. In Australia, engaging in small talk is a daily norm, used to break the ice, establish rapport, and create a friendly atmosphere. In contrast, Koreans tend to value more direct, meaningful communication, often skipping small talk altogether. This cultural difference is rooted in history, social structures, and linguistic nuances. In this article, we explore why small talk is so prevalent in Australia but much rarer in Korea, and what this reveals about the two cultures.