Don’t you think the weather in London is awful at the moment? I mean, it’s nearly May and I’m still wearing my winter jacket! When is the sun going to come out?
I know what you’re thinking… “She’s talking about the weather, she must be English or living in England!” You’re right, in England people often start a conversation by discussing the weather.
Have you ever wondered why this is?
Well, weather is a very neutral topic of conversation – it’s the perfect subject to talk about when you don’t want to have a serious or meaningful conversation with someone. You can talk about the weather to anyone, anywhere – with a stranger at a bus stop, with your friends on the phone or when you bump into your boss in the office kitchen!
However, talking about the weather can mean more than just trying to make conversation with a stranger. It is also used as an ice-breaker in difficult situations (for example, a job interview) or it can be used to find out more about someone’s personality. If there is heavy rain one day and someone says to you, “wow, it’s been raining all day”, how would you reply?
If you’re thinking, “I know, I really hate rain. I wish it would stop”, it’s possible that you’re quite a negative person. But, if you’re thinking, “oh well, at least it’s good for my garden”, there is a high chance you’re an optimistic person!
The weather is everywhere and it affects everyone so if you meet a stranger or if you are introduced to someone, it is the perfect way to start a conversation! It also changes every day so there is always something to mention.
Imagine that you’re in a park and you spot a girl or boy that you like. Do you think it’s better to start a conversation with, “your eyes are really beautiful. Do you want to go on a date?” or, “it’s a lovely day today, isn’t it?”?
So, how can you start a conversation about the weather? Well, it’s actually quite easy. Just remember a few of the phrases below and try them out on a stranger next time you’re waiting for a bus or in your next job interview!
“It’s a beautiful day today, isn’t it?”
“What strange weather we’re having!”
“There’s not a cloud in the sky!”
“The sun’s come out!”
“We had a lot of rain this morning.”
“We’re having a heatwave!”
Or a very typical idiom that is used a lot in England to describe heavy rain:
“It’s raining cats and dogs!”
Let me know if you use any of these phrases to start a conversation this week! Let’s hope the weather improves soon too! You might like to view my advice for learning English or view my United Kingdom travel guide for more articles like this one.
