Subjects to avoid in British small talk: Sex

Neil voiceover: I've been working at the BBC

for a long time now. I've met lots of people.

And I sometimes bump into them… and make

small talk. They call it small talk, but that

doesn't mean it's of little importance.

Keith: Neil! Hi, how's it going?

Neil: Keith! How's it going?

Keith: Yeah, not too bad, thanks. Long time

no see.

Neil: Yeah it's been a while, hasn't it? You've

got kids now.

Keith: I do, yes. That's why I'm looking so

old and awful.

Neil: Tiring, isn't it?

Keith: It is. It is.

Neil: So… how's your sex life?

Keith: Err…

Neil: You know… your sex life. Is it going

well?

Keith: I've got to errm…

Neil: OK, see you later.

Neil voiceover: Let's see what our experts

have to say about that.

Kee: He obviously asked about his children,

family. That's a kind of standard thing to

talk about.

Sam: Yep.

Kee: But then sex…

Sam: Yeah… No!

Kee: No, no

Sam/Kee: It's not a standard thing to talk

about. Especially not at work.

Kee: Would you ever ask anyone about their

sex life at work?

Sam: No, I don't think… no, no. I'm trying

to think if I would ask even my closest friends.

Kee: Me too, yeah.

Sam: I don't think I would.

Kee: I'm starting to feel uncomfortable talking