English small talk: at work, at the rink, at Stampede

Weather, the Flames, the weekend and the mountains: the four topics that start every Calgary conversation, and how to keep them going.

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This lesson is interactive and needs JavaScript. Here is the vocabulary:

Crazy weather, eh? Minus twenty on Monday and plus ten today. — The chinook opener.
Did you catch the game last night? — The Flames opener (works in any season).
Any plans for the weekend? — We might head out to Banff if the roads are good. — The weekend exchange.
I’m still getting used to the cold. I moved here from Montréal in the fall. — Your line.
That’s awesome. / No way! / For sure. — Reactions that keep it going.
Anyway, I should get going. Nice chatting with you! — The polite exit.