Small Talk Englisch

(Überraschungs)party
Surprise, surprise. I can't believe we managed to keep it secret, but here it is.
I can't believe this. You really hit me by surprise.
You made my day. Thank you all so very much.
This is very special to me. You're so sweet.
I don't know what to say, but it sure means a lot to me.
We wouldn't know how the office could exist without you.
Well Nancy, we thought that you, the pearl of our office, deserve a surprise party.
    Farewell parties / Verabschiedungen
On behalf of all of us, we'd like to thank you for your hard work.
We hate to see you leave but wish you the very best in your new job.
We'll miss you but are delighted to know that you were transferred to the company's site in Europe.
It's time to say goodbye to you, Jack, and thank you for your commitment to excellence in all those years. Best of luck.
Congratulations on your new job. We understand that this will be a big step forward in your career. All the best and keep in touch.
We'll miss you but are delighted to know that you were transferred to the company's site in Europe.
Thank you so much for everything. Best of luck in whatever you do.
    Anniversaries, jubilees / Jubiläen
Today it's Vivian's 20 th work anniversary. Thank you for all the good work.
On behalf of all of us, a big thank you for 15 years of dedicated service to our company.
Manuel, it's hard to believe that you have been with us for 25 years. You're the soul of this office. Congratulations and thank you so much.
It is my great pleasure to honor Rick for 30 years of excellence and hard work here in our office.
    Birthdays / Geburtstage
Happy birthday to you. Lots of happiness and peace.
Have a wonderful birthday.
We wish you a happy birthday and all the best in whatever you do.
Happy birthday. May all your dreams come true.
    Secretaries day / Sekretärinnentag
On this secretaries day we would like to thank all of you for your continuous support.
I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of you on your outstanding work.
Thank you for your hard work. You're always there when we need you. It's greatly appreciated.
We can't thank you enough for your efforts.
    Christmas / Weihnachten
Have a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Have a happy holiday season and all the best for the coming new year.
May the spirit of the season be with you throughout the new year.
Wishing you a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.
    Get-togethers at work / Gesellige Treffen am Arbeitsplatz
Enjoy the get-together and relax a little bit.
Let's take a break and chat a little bit.
Make one of the party, Fred, enjoy the munchies and punch!
For a change we'll be meeting in Bridget's office.
You need a change, Francis, help yourself to something to drink and eat. It's on the house.
    Kulturelle und sprachliche Tipps
    Komplimente
    Wie die Beispiele zeigen, kann Small Talk im Büro aus vielen kleinen und verschiedenen Dingen bestehen. Es muss nicht viel Aufhebens gemacht werden, jedoch gibt es immer etwas, das man mit einem kleinen Kompliment erwähnen kann: I really like your new blouse. Doch bitte seien Sie vorsichtig, wenn Sie jemanden beschreiben und dabei umgangssprachliche Floskeln benutzen. Diese können sehr verletzend wirken. Vermeiden Sie Ausdrücke wie skinny, like a pipe cleaner, like a lamp-post, puny, wenn Sie eine sehr dünne Person beschreiben, und built like a barrel oder obese,wenn die Person übergewichtig ist. Sachliche Begriffe wären in solchen Fällen thin und big.
    Im Englischen gilt es als sehr unhöflich auf Komplimente nicht mit irgendeiner Form des Thank you oder weiteren Kommentaren zu reagieren.
    Example
    Liz: Did you get a new sweater? It looks very nice.
    Libby: Thank you. My husband got it for me for our wedding anniversary.
    Egal wie viel wichtige geschäftliche Dinge zu besprechen sind, es ist immer genug Zeit, um eine neue Frisur, ein neues Kleidungsstück oder das neue Blumengesteck auf dem Schreibtisch anerkennend zu erwähnen. Je besser Sie eine Person kennen, desto ausführlicher können Sie dabei werden.
    Sollten Sie derselben Person am gleichen Tag schon zum dritten Mal auf dem Gang begegnen, dann wäre ein how are you? im Vorbeigehen nicht mehr ausreichend. Es wäre eher an der Zeit, kurz stehen zu bleiben und noch etwas zu kommentieren. Sei es die Hektik des heutigen Tages It's another hectic day oder It's one of those days oder seien es die Resultate des regionalen Sportvereins: Did you hear? Our football team won again!
    Höflichkeit
    Was für