Adults may discuss their jobs, recreational interests, houses, or family matters. Americans are explicitly taught not to discuss religion and politics unless they are fairly well acquainted with the people they are talking to. Politics and religion are thought to be a controversial topic that can lead to an argument. Financial matters is one. Inquiries about a person's earnings or about the amount someone paid for an item are usually beyond the bounds of acceptable topics.
People prefer to use their own communicative styles.
That means, among other things, they prefer to abide by their own ideas about conversation topics that are appropriate for any given situation. Foreigners who have different ideas from Americans about what topics are appropriate for a particular setting are very likely to feel uncomfortable when they are talking with Americans. They do not feel they can participate in the conversation on an equal footing. Listening to Americans small talk leads some foreigners to the erroneous conclusion that Americans are intellectually incapable of carrying on a discussion about anything significant. Some foreigners believe that topics more complex than weather, sports, or socials lives are beyond the American's ability to comprehend.