to start a friendly conversation in an awkward situation
ein freundliches Gespräch in einer unangenehmen Situation beginnen (ein freundliches gespräch in einer unangenehmen situation beginnen)
"To break the ice, I told a funny story."
"Um das Eis zu brechen, erzählte ich eine lustige Geschichte." (Um das **Eis zu brechen**, erzaehlte ich eine lustige Geschichte)
excessive bureaucracy or rules
considering something from one's own perspective
disappointed but having learned from the experience
something that is very easy to understand or decide
to reveal something secret unintentionally
to continue to hope or work toward a goal even after setback...