A word to describe meaningless exchanges in conversation [duplicate]

Solution 1:

There is actually a word that describes precisely this type of chitchat: you're looking for the word phatic.

phat·ic /ˈfatik/ adj.
denoting or relating to language used for general purposes of social interaction, rather than to convey information or ask questions. Utterances such as hello, how are you? and nice morning, isn't it? are phatic.

(From Oxford Dictionaries Online, my emphasis)

Solution 2:

While such exchanges are usually referred to as small talk, a single word that means much the same thing is chatter:

chatter, n.: continuous fast informal talk, usually about unimportant subjects

Solution 3:

What you call meaningless conversation is a chapter in "social conventions".

A convention is a set of agreed, stipulated, or generally accepted standards, norms, social norms, or criteria, often taking the form of a custom. In a social context, a convention may retain the character of an "unwritten law" of custom (for example, the manner in which people greet each other, such as by shaking each other's hands). Wikipedia

Solution 4:

des·ul·to·ry ˈdesəlˌtôrē/Submit adjective lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm. "a few people were left, dancing in a desultory fashion" synonyms: casual, cursory, superficial, token, perfunctory, half-hearted, lukewarm; More (of conversation or speech) going constantly from one subject to another in a halfhearted way; unfocused. "the desultory conversation faded"