Small Talk in Iraq

Video Transcript

(Note: This transcript has been edited for readability.)

"Building rapport in that culture is all about relationships. And so in order to get done what you need done you have to know how to establish rapport and you do that by building relationships with that individual. And that involves talking about personal things, interests, various subjects that have nothing to do with anything about the work that you’re trying to get done, and that’s how you build it. And so as you build that rapport, then you’re able to move on and get into other things, primarily the reason that you’re there."

In this video, a former military service member discusses small talk and its importance to building rapport.