Pleasantries can lighten the mood among strangers or acquaintances in social settings. Seeing the guests' nervousness, he offered a pleasantry about the weather to help everyone relax.
Pro Tip 2/3
Tension Diffuser
Use pleasantries to ease tension in difficult conversations or to show you're friendly. Amidst the heated debate, her pleasantry about the host's lovely home calmed the room.
Pro Tip 3/3
Cultural Variance
Pleasantries may vary by culture; what's amusing in one might not be in another. He realized his pleasantry didn't translate well when his new international friends looked confused.