Small Talk

[Isla]

I tend to skip the small talk and go deep after just a few minutes... it has the result of scaring away the people who I probably wouldn't want to spend too much time with and drawing closer those who dare plumb the depths of the soul and psyche with me.

 

[RSI]

<< I tend to skip the small talk and go deep after just a few minutes... it has the result of scaring away the people who I probably wouldn't want to spend too much time with and drawing closer those who dare plumb the depths of the soul and psyche with me. >>

You sound like the type of person I'd get along with.

Seriously though... Small talk always dies and results in awkwardness! Small talk is suck. Too bad society makes it so important.

-RSI

 

[amnesiac]

a big part of my last job was "schmoozing" with the guests (as the company liked to call it), add to that I know at least a *little* about nearly everything so I can at least understand enough of what someone talks about to produce an informed response. Unfortunately, I find that many people have a very narrow range of knowledge which is sort of annoying when I try to talk to them.

 

[Tauren]

Small talk breaks the ice for a more intellectual discussion, but isn't absolutely necessary.

 

[RSI]

<< Small talk breaks the ice for a more intellectual discussion, but isn't absolutely necessary. >>

Well it's necessary in just being *casual*. *sometimes* I find I can do the small talk shiznit, but most of the time I find it impossible! :|

-RSI

 

[RSI]

For example, I meet someone that I talk to online first, and we're really great friends. I meet someone in real life, and I don't know what to say, and then that just goes nowhere!

-RSI

 

[Tauren]

Example:

RSI: "So, what do you think of this Prof?"
Hot Chick: "He's O.K. But a bit boring."
RSI: "Yeah, I had this one....(insert story)"
Hot Chick: "No kidding! I had that used to do that too!He used to...(insert similar story)"
(Here RSI is giving his undivided attention)
RSI: "(appropriate response: i.e.; laughter, shock, confusion, etc.) Sometimes it makes you wonder about people."
Hot Chick: "I know what you mean. I had wanted to teach, but I've changed my major to Psychology. I want to know what makes people do the things they do."
RSI: "Really? Like what?"
(Insert extended conversation)


See it can work.

 

[Isla]

I think we'd get along just fine, RSI

Well, when I absolutely must engage in small talk, I try to listen to what they are saying and get a feel for who they are... and respond in such as way as to be comforting or 'comfortable' for them to be around.

The number one rule of small talk would be to avoid the controversial... no strong opinions, no heated debates, no deep psychological revelations... just pleasant chit chat with minimum impact. Blah! I can do it, but it's not really 'me'.

 

[RSI]

Some people are just easier to be around than others. Some people I find really easy to make laugh, and obviously those people are the ones that are easy and fun to be around. But for ME it's rare to be able to easily make someone laugh.... argh

-RSI