Topics People Conversation Social Business Formal Strong Avoid

Topics of conversation "vary" (are different) by setting. Among close friends, Americans can talk about almost anything, except "perhaps" (maybe) weight, age, and "income" (how much money one earns). But in certain social and business "settings" (environments), "acceptable" (without causing offense, insult, or anger) topics are more "restricted" (limited).

On formal social occasions, and on most business "occasions" (times and events), it is "advisable" (recommended) to "avoid" (not have, make, or do) conversations about politics and religions. These are "controversial" (with people having different and very strong opinions) topics that can quickly "lead to" (cause) "heated" (passionate; with strong feelings) arguments.

"Likewise" (in the same way), businesspeople "tend to" (usually do) avoid questions about "personal matters" (things that relate to one's private life). For example, they avoid asking about someone's "sexual orientation" (whether one is sexually attracted to men, women, or both), "race" (identity related to physical characteristics such as skin color), and whether one is in a romantic relationship. These topics are "taboo" (not allowed; not acceptable), in part because the answers could be "cited" (referenced; referred to) as a reason for "discrimination" (treating one group of people unfairly) in future employment decisions.

Most people who are meeting people for the first time on formal social or business occasions "stick to" (focus on) "safer" (less likely to cause problems) topics, such as the weather, sports, interesting news stories, or local events. These aren't "hard-and-fast rules" (rules that are followed by everyone), but people who "stray from them" (do not follow these unwritten rules) often find that their conversation partners are trying to change the topic or leave.