If not "small talk" then what?

I constantly hear that people “abhor” small talk, “loathe” small talk, “can’t abide” small talk.
From wikipedia:
“In spite of seeming to have little useful purpose, small talk is a bonding ritual and a strategy for managing interpersonal distance. It serves many functions in helping to define the relationships between friends, colleagues, and new acquaintances. In particular, it helps new acquaintances to explore and categorize each other’s social position. Small talk is closely related to the need for people to maintain positive face and feel approved of by those who are listening to them. It lubricates social interactions in a very flexible way, but the desired function is often dependent on the point in the conversation at which the small talk occurs.”

Going by that basic description, with what would you replace it? How do you establish the start of a conversation with people you barely know? Sometimes it is necessary to do so, whether for business reasons, or to build bonds with extended family members, or even simply to be polite.

I am aware that Urban Dictionary defines it differently, but I feel the Wiki description is more accurate and comprehensive.