Originally Posted by Cynthetiq

So you know some things about your coworkers already. Ask them questions that make sense about that information. Example, "You live on the Westside right? I've been meaning to go to X Store or Y restaurant. Have you ever been there? What do you think of that place?" Depending on how they react you can build on that by saying something like,"Oh really? It's not worth it? What do you recommend in that area" or if you notice they have a hobby or overhear them doing an activity, ask them about that specifically and add to it what you know about it. You may find that they will be happy to educate you in what they have learned over the years.

Small talk is just that. It's small, it's light.