pleasantries
Small talk exchanges
Pleasantries are polite, friendly remarks exchanged in social situations—the small talk that lubricates interaction without conveying much information: After the usual pleasantries, we got down to business.
The word often implies superficiality, distinguishing casual chat from substantive conversation.
To exchange pleasantries is to engage in this ritual of social courtesy.
Informal light conversation
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- natterLight, aimless conversation
- schmoozeChat to gain favor
gabfest · confab · chit-chat · small talk · idle chat · friendly chat · watercooler talk · catching up
Courteous, respectful conduct
- civilityFormal politeness in conduct
- mannersCustoms of polite conduct
- decorumFitting social conduct
- proprietyCorrectness of conduct
tact · graciousness · cordiality · affability · geniality · amiability · congeniality · courteousness
Common spoken greeting
- welcomeHospitable greeting offered
- hiInformal spoken salutation
- heyInformal greeting or summons
- salutationsFormal words of welcome
howdy · namaste · shalom · bonjour · hola · ciao · aloha · goodbye
Delicate points of conduct
- formalitiesConventional procedural requirements
- conventionsAccepted social practices
- platitudesTrite moral remarks
- banalitiesOverused, unoriginal remarks
Casual social interaction
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- socializingEngaging with others recreationally
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
- icebreakerTension-easing social activity
introduction · mixer · reception · conversation starter · warming up · breaking the ice · social lubricant
chitchat
Informal light conversation
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- natterLight, aimless conversation
schmooze · gabfest · confab · chit-chat · small talk · idle chat · friendly chat · watercooler talk · catching up
politeness
Courteous, respectful conduct
propriety · tact · graciousness · cordiality · affability · geniality · amiability · congeniality · courteousness · consideration
hello
Common spoken greeting
salutations · howdy · namaste · shalom · bonjour · hola · ciao · aloha · goodbye · farewell
niceties
Delicate points of conduct
- formalitiesConventional procedural requirements
- conventionsAccepted social practices
- platitudesTrite moral remarks
mingling
Casual social interaction
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- socializingEngaging with others recreationally
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
icebreaker · introduction · mixer · reception · conversation starter · warming up · breaking the ice · social lubricant
- chatterchat, chatter, chatting, chitchat, chit-chat
- chitchatsmall talk, banter, chitchat, chatter, chat
- etiquettemanners, politeness, etiquette, table manners, courtesy
- everyday speechsmall talk, chitchat, chit-chat, chat, banter
- expressionsexpression, I love you, phrase, idioms, thank you
- social exchangesgreetings, farewells, handshakes, thank yous, welcomes
pleasantriesinsults
Disparaging remarks
hostilities · unpleasantries · barbs · slurs · invective
pleasantrieshard truths
Unpleasant accurate statements
real talk · difficult conversations · heart-to-heart · substance · brass tacks
pleasantriesgrievances
Felt wrongs or injustices
complaints · recriminations · accusations · unpleasantries · awkwardness