To small talk or not? How to Get Better at Small Talk at Work

To small talk or not to small talk? That is the question among  introverted beauty professionals wondering how to get better at small talk at work.

“Introverted / socially anxious nail techs: How do you deal with the small talk with your clients—especially new ones?” posted one Reddit user entering the industry. “I’m really worried about getting clients and having to talk to them and not [doing] a good job at it.”

While not strictly required, most clients expect their beauticians to practice small talk during their services. In fact, many clients see conversation with their beauty pros as a key part of the experience and rapport. It’s so common to conflate hairstylists with therapists that there are memes and Psychology Today articles dedicated to the trope. And other pros, like nail techs and cosmetologists, don’t fare much better.

So what are you supposed to do if small talk social skills don’t come naturally to you? Can you stay silent but perform an awesome service and still get a great review? Alternatively, how can you avoid being the hairstylist, barber, cosmetologist, or nail technician who talks too much?

As an introverted beauty professional, you’ve only got two options: talk more or talk less. We share ways to do both so you can decide what’s best for you and your clients.

3 Keys to Successful Small Talk 

While you’re an introvert, you may still applaud the importance of small talk with clients. Experts assert that engaging conversations during services can build trust and help clients feel comfortable and valued. 

Curious about how to get better at small talk at work? Or how to make small talk in general? Here are three tips to help you communicate easier.

1. Make it about them.

One of the keys to successful small talk is to make the conversation about the other person. In fact, neuroscientists have confirmed that most people like to and tend to talk about themselves. 

So don’t feel pressured to fill the time with stories about your own kids or vacations. Put yourself in the shoes of an interviewer, and focus on asking questions about your clients. Hype them up and  let them do most of the talking.

2. Create a list of small talk questions, subjects, and ideas.

As an introvert, it may be difficult—even anxiety-inducing—to decipher safe and unsafe topics for small talk 

If you’re learning how to get better at small talk at work, don’t wait around for appropriate topics for small talk. Rather than generating ideas on the fly, your fellow beauty professionals recommend creating a bank of topics you feel comfortable addressing.

To get you started, some easy and acceptable topics for small talk include:

• Tell me about your plans for the weekend, holidays, etc.
• Do you have kids? Pets? Tell me about them.
• What do you do for fun?
• What kind of work do you do?
• What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
• Any books, movies, shows, or music you’ve enjoyed lately?
• What are some of your favorite restaurants in the area? What do you order?
• Products you recommend for their hair, skin, or nails.

When brainstorming and chatting, there are a few small talk topics to avoid. Forbes recommends steering clear of conversations about:

• Anything polarizing, like race, religion, or politics.
• Your own personal issues.
• Your habits that may make people nervous (e.g. drinking a lot).
• Things that are dishonest or untrue.
• Gossip about colleagues or people in the industry.

3. Take notes.

Ready to get better at small talk at work? Here’s one of our favorite small talk best practices: take notes.

After appointments, make a point to write down some notes about your client and your conversation somewhere safe and private. When they come back, you can refer to the notes and follow up on the things you previously talked about—like that vacation in Italy or their mom’s cancer diagnosis.

While having things to talk about going into the appointment will make it easier for you, it will also be meaningful to your client. Remembering important details about your client will help them feel special and appreciated.

Not worried about how to get better at small talk? Here are 3 small talk tips to talk less.

Try as you might, chatting during appointments may not work well for you. While some clients may expect conversation, here are three tips on how to create more opportunities for quieter and even silent services.

1. Give them options when they book.

Between 25 and 40 percent of the population is introverted. While you’re stressing about keeping up a conversation, your clients may be, too.

Put you both out of your misery by offering no-talk appointments. Finnish hairdresser Kati Hakomeri made headlines with her “silent service” at her salon. And according to Australian hairdresser Ash Boughton, who also offers quiet cuts, silent appointments have been increasing in popularity since the pandemic.

One Reddit user takes it a step further, recommending the option for a silent, quiet, or chatty service when clients book. By allowing every client to pre-select how talkative they want to be, you:

1. Give fellow introverts the chance to have a quieter service.
2. Give yourself time to mentally prepare for chit-chat.

2. Offer more entertainment.

Many clients rely on conversation to keep entertained during appointments. If you’re encouraging  them to talk less, vary the entertainment options.

Some salons provide TVs to watch or headphones and tablets to wear during the appointment for music, or podcasts, videos, or television shows. By offering an extra amenity and something to do other than talk, you can add the client’s experience rather than taking away from it.

3. Tell them your preferences.

While navigating how to get better at small talk at work, know that some clients look forward to chit-chat. The best way to avoid disappointing or upsetting a client is by being upfront. 

If you’re introverted and don’t enjoy talking during services, make that clear before and when clients book. Let them know you’re not very talkative, so if they’re hoping for non-stop chit-chat during their services, you may not be the right professional for them. 

While you may lose some clients up-front, you avoid upsetting clients later. You may also attract some fellow introverts to you in the process.

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Whether you’re a chatterbox or a wallflower, our beauty professionals insurance is worth talking about. With policies as inexpensive as $159 a year, you can get protection for you and your business. Get your free quote here.