Small Talk: Bar in Podgorica, Montenegro
- elenaburan
- Jul 24
- 2 min read
Characters:
Anna (traveler from Germany)
James (startup founder from the UK)
1. Breaking the Ice
Alex: Hey there, mind if I join you? I’m Alex.
Anna: Of course, Alex! I’m Anna, and this is James. We’re just talking about how cool Montenegro is.
James:Yeah, it’s my first time here. What brings you out tonight?
Alex: Honestly, just wanted to unwind after a week of work. I live here, actually. What about you two?
2. Getting to Know Each Other
Anna: I’m traveling around the Balkans for a few weeks. I love discovering new places and meeting locals.
James: I’m here for some meetings, but I always try to mix business with a bit of pleasure. What do you do, Alex?
Alex: I work in finance, mostly dealing with investment portfolios and crypto assets. It’s a busy field, but I like the challenge.
3. Swapping Stories & Interests
Anna: Crypto, really? That sounds intense! Do you work for a company or on your own?
Alex: I started out at a brokerage, but now I manage portfolios for clients and advise some startups. What about you, James? You said something about business?
James:Yeah, I run a small tech startup in London. We’re building tools for remote teams — lots of ups and downs.
4. Deeper Topics (if the conversation flows)
Alex:That’s really interesting! I actually use a lot of productivity tools with my clients. The tech scene is moving fast — even here in the Balkans. Have you noticed more crypto startups in the UK recently?
James: Absolutely. London’s buzzing, but so is Berlin and, honestly, everywhere. Regulations are a headache, though.
Anna: I don’t know much about finance, but I invested a bit in Ethereum last year — just for fun. Do you think it’s risky to keep money in crypto these days?
Alex: It depends. If you diversify and don’t chase the hype, it can work out. But yeah, it’s volatile — I always tell people: don’t invest more than you’re willing to lose.
5. Switching to Lighter Topics
James: Good advice! By the way, do you know any good places to eat around here?
Alex: Sure, I can recommend a few local spots. Are you into seafood, or maybe Balkan grill?
6. Wrapping Up / Exchanging Contacts
Anna: Sounds great. Maybe we can check one out tomorrow. Do you use WhatsApp or Telegram?
Alex: Both, actually! Let’s swap numbers. Always happy to meet new people — and talk about more than just finance.
Topics that might come up naturally:
Travel stories and favorite destinations
Food and drinks (local recommendations)
Sports (soccer/football is always safe)
Music or cultural events
Work-life balance, remote work
Fun facts about Montenegro or their home countries
Tip: You should try to keep questions open, show curiosity, and balance professional and personal topics. Even just talking about local weather, funny travel mishaps, or hobbies can break the ice!
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