Small Talk

[RSI]

The evil art of small talk. Why is it such a required part of life? And how does one acquire such a skill?

-RSI

 

[Whitecloak]

dunno.

 

[RSI]

I always find it hard to think of something to talk about, cause of my inability to produce small talk. How is it done!?

-RSI

 

[MichaelD]

Small talk is a necessary part of a good social-skills base. Take a business mixer, for instance. All attendees know that the main topic will be "business" but during the social hour you stand around and talk sports or home repair or computers. It's "light conversation" that doesn't require much thinking or any potentially upsetting to you or others, comments on religion, politics, morality, etc.

Unfortunately, those persons not good at small talk are commonly labeled as introverts and sometimes do get shunned from the social circle.

Part of my main job is public speaking and my entire second job IS public speaking, so small talk is something I excel at. Sometimes, I put my foot in my mouth, but that's ok; I'm always smiling though!

 

[Viper GTS]

I can talk to a girl for hours, but no small talk.

Small talk is evil, I can't do it, & I won't waste my time with it.

Viper GTS

 

[RSI]

Exactly, you know what I'm talkin' about.

I wish I was good at it. It really is important in life, and how are you supposed to make friends or more importantly get a girlfriend, if you can't keep up conversation?

*sigh*

-RSI

 

[MichaelD]

Well, RSI, you're doing it right now! You're just typing it out as opposed to talking it out. The "Gift of Gab" a.k.a. "BS Artist" can easily be learned...it's all about practice. Just chat about anything. If you feel awkward picking a "topic", just say "Hi, my name is Bert* (name has been changed to protect the innocent) how are you? If it's a guy, and you both walked in at the same time, you could introduce yourself and then say "hey, did you see that Porsche outside? Isn't that a sweet ride?" Or something like that. See if the conversation picks up and take it from there.

 

[RSI]

<< I can talk to a girl for hours, but no small talk.

Small talk is evil, I can't do it, & I won't waste my time with it.

Viper GTS >>

I know what you mean. But how do you keep conversation going and not let think get "weird"/"awkward"? Like, with some people I have no problem talking and everything's always fine. But then with other's it's always impossibly weird! For example, english class seems to be sucking more and more each time, while math is actually more socially enjoyable!

-RSI

 

[Tauren]

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who know alot about a little and those who know a little about alot. Guess which one is good at small talk?

 

[RSI]

<< Well, RSI, you're doing it right now! You're just typing it out as opposed to talking it out. The "Gift of Gab" a.k.a. "BS Artist" can easily be learned...it's all about practice. Just chat about anything. If you feel awkward picking a "topic", just say "Hi, my name is Bert* (name has been changed to protect the innocent) how are you? If it's a guy, and you both walked in at the same time, you could introduce yourself and then say "hey, did you see that Porsche outside? Isn't that a sweet ride?" Or something like that. See if the conversation picks up and take it from there. >>

Well, I already have enough guy friends, I'm not really looking to broaden that horizon. But convo between a guy and convo between a girl is very different. With most guys I can just talk about anything at all and it doesn't matter... I don't have to worry. And if they leave.. well I don't give a sh*t! On the other hand, with a girl, you want them to stay, and you want them to be happy/impressed/whatever...

-RSI <- sometimes wishes he had the skill to BS

 

[wyvrn]

I think that has to do with the people in the class, and the general mood. Two of my classes we all cut up and have fun, but one is really serious because of the prof. Not a lot of small talk in that room. Just take notes baby!

 

[RSI]

<< There are two kinds of people in the world: those who know alot about a little and those who know a little about alot. Guess which one is good at small talk? >>

Those who know a little about a lot, obviously!

-RSI

 

[RSI]

<< I think that has to do with the people in the class, and the general mood. Two of my classes we all cut up and have fun, but one is really serious because of the prof. Not a lot of small talk in that room. Just take notes baby! >>

I think for me it really depends on the person. Cause in English we sit around and we CAN talk. But I hardly do! In Math, we're working the whole time, yet I manage to chat a little to classmates more than in English! Maybe I feel more comfortable for some reason? I don't know.

-RSI

 

[Tauren]

RSI - So, use that. Find something about anything and learn the part YOU find interesting. The next time someone starts in on a subject, you have something to contribute and you could possibly learn alot more that you find interesting about the subject.

 

[RSI]

<< RSI - So, use that. Find something about anything and learn the part YOU find interesting. The next time someone starts in on a subject, you have something to contribute and you could possibly learn alot more that you find interesting about the subject. >>

I know! If it's something I'm interested in or I know something about, I do try to join in or something. But if it's something you really have nothing to talk about, you can't really come into the conversation, even if you really want to talk to that person! One class that I thought would be extremely boring turns out alright though, cause it's one of those classes you don't learn a whole lot but you get time to talk to everyone and the instructor as well, etc. If placed next to the right person, I can actually have a great time in an utterly boring class. Like last week for example, I sat next to this cute girl that was fun to be around - always made little jokes, whispering during class, whatever.. Just fun! But in other classes, I don't say anything and nobody bothers to try to talk to me either, which just sucks!

-RSI

 

[Buddhist]

damn.

i know i'm a computer geek when i come in to this thread expecting to find some question regarding object oriented programming.

*shakes head, leaves*

-M.T.O

 

[TripleJ]

lol

 

[Tauren]

<<I don't say anything>>


When all else fails, ask questions. People love to talk about things they have knowledge and an interest in. If it's just flirting with a girl, the only thing that will help break the ice is a sense of humor. Memorize a few jokes to break the ice.

 

[RSI]

Tauren,

Believe me I know the truth of that! I wish I had l337 skillz tho.. :-\

-RSI

 

[Electric Amish]

<< damn.

i know i'm a computer geek when i come in to this thread expecting to find some question regarding object oriented programming.

*shakes head, leaves*

-M.T.O >>



Hehehe... Me too.


Anyway, I completely avoid small talk. I can sit with someone and not speak for hours. It doesn't bother me, but it also doesn't make me any friends..

People say it makes me seem arrogant and aloof. Oh well.

amish

 

[RSI]

<<

<< damn.

i know i'm a computer geek when i come in to this thread expecting to find some question regarding object oriented programming.

*shakes head, leaves*

-M.T.O >>



Hehehe... Me too.


Anyway, I completely avoid small talk. I can sit with someone and not speak for hours. It doesn't bother me, but it also doesn't make me any friends..

People say it makes me seem arrogant and aloof. Oh well.

amish >>

Don't you love how people jump to conclusions?

-RSI

 

[Tauren]

<<Believe me I know the truth of that! I wish I had l337 skillz tho.. :-\>>


You do just fine on here. Just extend those skills.

 

[wedi42]

what about this crazy weather?

 

[Windogg]

Just find a inane topic 99% of the population can bitch about with no political/social/economic consequences.

1) The weather
2) Traffic
3) Bad coffee at the office.

Come up with one decent joke about each one.

1) Hey, if you don't like the weather in Boston, just wait a few minutes
2) With the price of gas, it's quicker and cheaper to drive to the airport and take a helicopter (This one has been shelved)
3) I once drank some brake fluid by a accident. It was tastier and easier on the stomach.

There you go. Small talk the fits almost any sitaution.

Windogg

 

[RSI]

<< <<Believe me I know the truth of that! I wish I had l337 skillz tho.. :-\>>


You do just fine on here. Just extend those skills. >>

No I don't, really. Cause I don't have to think of anything to say... I mean, anything I type on here, at least 99% of it, isn't stuff I could incorporate to real life situations. Would you say out loud all the stuff you type? I didn't think so.

The weather? Mlah. The weather is always changing.. who cares?

-RSI