Small talk is just an exchange of basic information, but it's a good way to start a conversation. You'll find that people usually like to talk about themselves and their experiences. Some people don't like to take part in small talk because it seems to have no real purpose. Talking about trivial matters with people who they don't know well seems to be a waste of time. But if you don't learn how to enjoy small talk, you miss a precious chance to know what the other person is like, and, therefore, to find common interests with him or her.
Small talk is indeed the foundation of communication.
3 Questions are useful tools for building your conversations. If you ask someone a question, it shows your interest in that person. When you ask someone for advice, it shows your respect for that person's opinions. Questions can encourage people to open up and talk. Questions can help you discover the other person's opinions and ideas.