Contributed by Barbara (Canberra ESL Team)

Not all workplaces around the world have a culture of short breaks throughout the work day.
In Australia, the coffee (or tea) break is considered an essential part of the work day, providing opportunities for employees to take a break from their work tasks and socialise with the rest of the office. In fact, these brief social opportunities are so important to office culture that sometimes an employer will provide a Morning Tea or Afternoon Tea social break for the entire company!

These short social interactions at work can be a great way to integrate yourself into your new workplace. However, they can also be a little intimidating! Knowing which topics are appropriate and how to start up a conversation can be difficult if you come from a culture that doesn’t have a similar practise. Here are some tips to help you confidently take part in a very important Aussie workplace experience.

Get up and away from your desk

Water cooler chat rarely happens at your desk. Your desk is designed to be an effective workspace, often covered with computer equipment, stationary, and important documents. None of these things are inspiring for relaxed social chit-chat and will likely distract you from the conversation.

Back before COVID moved many workplaces online, water cooler chat used to take place around the office appliance of the same name. This machine was usually located somewhere away from desks and meeting rooms which encouraged employees to get up away from their desks and reduced the chances that conversations would distract from those people working at their desks.

Leave work at your desk

The number one topic to avoid during water cooler chat is work itself. These short social breaks are seen as time to give your brain a chance to think about something other than work. In fact, bringing up work during water cooler chat can be seen as annoying or a signal that you are exiting the conversation.

Come as you are

Water cooler chat is a chance to share a little bit about who you are outside of work. Choose a topic that you are interested in and don’t be afraid to share photos if you have them.
Common topics are:

• • Family & pets
  • Upcoming travel or holiday plans
  • Hobbies
  • Movies, TV shows, and similar entertainment
  • Sports
  • Current events*

*Be careful here! Some topics, like politics and money can be tricky. In most English speaking countries it’s considered rude to ask questions such as “who did you vote for?” and “how much money do you earn?”. However, it’s okay to talk about how political systems work or to ask someone who’s recently bought a house for any recommendations of loan providers.

Don’t just talk, be sure to listen

In fact, this can be a great way to join in water cooler chat if you are feeling uncertain or shy. Listen to your workmates and notice what topics they discuss, their likes/dislikes, and interests. Ask for more information about a topic being discussed, or ask for suggestions and opinions. Then, try to remember at least one thing from each person for something to talk about during the next water cooler chat.

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