Tell me about Small Talk

[Bayside]

Alright, so I get what small talk is, I engage in it fairly often, it's just that it irritates me a lot. It feels awkward, because it feels like it's just there to fill the silence, and both you and the other party are fully aware of this, and neither of you really care to engage in it, but you do it anyway. Is small talk supposed to be so awkward and annoying? Often times I feel like I'd rather just walk away from the person then sit and listen to their story about their trip to the grocery store, or whatever.

[MrBeelzy]

Run-ins with acquaintances can be forced and awkward, but if all they ever consist of is a hello, and some platitudes, you probably need to work on your social skills. Treat acquaintances like you would any other friend, try to engage in some playful banter rather than banalities. You can set the tone (and pace) for the encounter with your body language, and how you choose to converse with them. Generally, even if the person you are talking to is awkward as shit, your attitude will be reciprocated. It always feels good to make another person laugh too. Also, don't be afraid to walk away with a "I've got to take off" or whatever. You don't need a reason, and they don't expect one. You can always just walk right on by with a smile and a wave, a tip of the hat, or anything really. Be original, be quirky, even if the exchange feels one sided. Have fun yourself, and even if it doesn't go all that smoothly, at least the next time you won't have to break the ice again. Who knows though, I just like people a whole lot so I like having small talk with almost anyone, even if they're lame.

[apachama]

Small talk is a beautiful art. The trick is, be interested, be engaging, be friendly and then go away without having given anything away about yourself or committed to anything at all. I love it.

[Sandform]

I hate people who talk to me about BS I don't care about. OMG really, he called you? OMG and you've been telling him to call you and now that he finally did you don't have to tell him to call you any more? Wow! No way did he really say hello? Ok seriously I don't give a damn about anything you have to say person get the fuck away. If you HAVE to do small talk just remember that people like to talk about themselves they are really really vein and the odds are that if you both keep asking each other questions instead of talking about yourself you are both trying to comfort the other and at that end you can say something like "I don't have time to catch up right now but lets get together some time...email me or something." And then get on with your day. If you are both trying to avoid giving lengthy answers then it will come as a relief to the other person when you say lets catch up another time.

[Siиdяed]

I find myself repeating the parts of small talk that really aren't necessary. "How are You? You alright?" is one. I think it's okay to start a conversation like this, but to repeat it whenever a slight silence ensues is probably not the best way to go about things.

[skysaw]

Best way to avoid the uncomfortable kind of small talk is to ask the other person about themselves. If you're lucky, they might do the same.

[Bayside]

Thanks for the input guys.

[lagunagirl]

Small talk doesn't always have to be awkward. For some, it may be more interesting to have a more deep conversation, but a lot of people would rather chat about their crush or tell the funny story of what happened to them the other day than get into an in-depth conversation. the times that small talk is awkward is when it has been awkwardly silent when you're not actually talking. There's nothing wrong with casually chatting with someone, even if you would rather be having some other kind of conversation.

[Sandform]

Know when small talk really really sucks? When it is in the middle of more important things hehe. I was talking with someone and instead of talking about what we were supposed to be talking about (as in them doing their job) she ended up talking about Bach tower in lake wells for like half an hour lol. Then she complained that she was swamped with work...I wonder why lol. The conversation was fine...I just felt bad because if she was swamped I didn't want her to have to waste time making pleasantries with me.

[Photolysis]

Small talk is a waste of time. Talking about crap that no one cares about, often with people you don't care about. Pointless waste of time and energy. I don't mind talking generally, but talking merely for the sake of it is boring, annoying, and stupid. If I barely know you, then I don't care. Even if I know you, I don't really care about trivial bullshit.

[Sandform]

Small talk is the senseless banter of society.