WELCOME TO An Entertainment Site for Scottish Country Dancers - Enjoy the curated selection of theme-related dances for celebrations and holidays, or find a dance associated with a special calendar day, or EVEN your own birthday!
World Hello Day
Nov 21
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"🎶 Hello!
How are you?
How's the folks?
What's new?
I'm great!
That's good
Ha ha!
Knock wood!
Well, well
That's life
What do you know?
How's the wife?
Got to run
Oh, my!
Ta-ta!
Olive oil!
Goodbye!"
~ The Babbitt and the Bromide, George and Ira Gershwin, 1927
Such a dreich day, isn't it? How's your small talk? Small talk is the conversational equivalent of politely nibbling a cracker at a party you didn’t really want to attend. It’s the social lubricant that keeps us all from plunging headlong into awkward silence or oversharing about our conspiracy theories. Weather? Always a winner—who doesn’t have an opinion about clouds? Hmmm .... The "hello and goodbye" figure could be construed as the dance equivalent to smalltalk! This dance was devised to introduce the formation ‘set to corners and partner’ in either strathspey time or in quick time. In "Won’t You Join the Dance?" Jean Milligan offered the following advice to teachers: ‘It has been found very helpful to make them (the class) say “How do you do” – “Goodbye” to each person as they set.’ Practice and enlarge your small talk repertoire with this instructive dance and while you're at it, isn't the weather just miserable? 🤪 🕺 💃 💬 🌧️
Hello-Goodbye
Hello! Brush up on your small talk topics!
Small talk topics can vary widely based on cultural norms, values, and what is considered polite or engaging in a given country. Here are some interesting small talk subjects from different parts of the world:
United States
Sports: American football, basketball, or baseball.
Weather: A classic, especially if it's extreme or changing.
Local food: "Tried any good BBQ spots?"
Travel plans: People love to talk about where they've been or are going.
United Kingdom
Weather: A national pastime; "Isn’t it just miserable today?"
TV shows: Popular programs like Strictly Come Dancing or Bake Off.
Tea and biscuits: A safe, cozy topic.
Traffic: Commuting woes unite everyone.
France
Cuisine: Discussing food and wine is practically an art form.
Local markets: "Did you see the cheese selection at the market?"
Current events: Political or cultural discussions are common.
Art or literature: A casual reference to culture is appreciated.
Germany
Hobbies: Germans love organized hobbies and clubs.
Travel: "Have you been hiking in Bavaria?"
Weather: Predictably practical.
Efficiency in daily life: A good train system or workplace practices.
Japan
Seasonal changes: Appreciating cherry blossoms or autumn leaves.
Food: "Have you tried the new seasonal Starbucks latte?"
Polite inquiries: "How is your family?" (a formal but warm gesture).
Local events: Festivals or traditions are a great topic.
Australia
Weather: Often tied to outdoor activities.
Sport: Cricket, rugby, or Australian Rules Football.
Travel and nature: Favorite beaches or hiking spots.
Wildlife: Sharing kangaroo or koala sightings.
Scandinavia (Sweden, Norway, Denmark)
Outdoor activities: Skiing, hiking, or foraging.
Weather: Winters are a bonding topic.
Sustainability: A discussion about green energy or eco-friendly practices.
Fika (Sweden): A break with coffee and pastries—ask about their favorite fika treats.
Do you agree? For the masters of small talk and dance together in tap dance and musical comedy, click Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire below for their rendition of "The Babbitt and the Bromide" from the 1945 film, The Ziegfeld Follies!
Goodbye!
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
