small talk

[PvtRyan]

Sometimes people ask you "what are you up to" or "how is life" because they genuinely want to know.

Most people don't even listen to your answer and go right to the next question. "How are you doing/how have you been" is just another way of saying "hi" or "hello".

As for smalltalk, I don't like it, why should two people who are not remotely interested in what the other has to say talk to eachother? Although I must say there's a difference between talk and small talk (obviously), with smalltalk I mean questions like the "what do you do for work/how's school?" bullshit. And the next time you see them, they ask the exact same thing because the didn't even listen the last time, small talk is a formality nothing more. Unless you're an astronaut or a brain surgeon, I don't care what you do. Actual talking is going in depth on a topic, where there's actual genuine interest.

I guess it's useful for filling up those awkward silences. But I prefer awkward silences over conversation that makes my brain droop out.

 

[Stigmata]

If small talk is often nothing more than a formality to fill awkward silences, I propose that we no longer allow those silences to be awkward! Embrace lulls in conversation, all of you!

 

[PvtRyan]

Indeed, lets instead fill silences with interpretive dance!

 

[Glirk Dient]

I hate boring small talk. That is why you need to get better at it so you can get people laughing and actually enjoy talking. Also it helps to not talk to retards.

 

[99.vikram]

I suck at small talk, so I practice this weird grin that doesn't invite any further conversation. Unfortunately, this doesn't work over the phone.

 

[Smoke]

It`s a good way to learn about people, how are you going to manipulate somebody if you don`t make an effort, a subtle one, to learn more about them?

Most social activities are based around manipulation and trickery.

 

[Muffin Man]

Small talk is actually one of the greatest things ever developed. Don't think of it as the entire talk, but the spark that creates a conversation. Look into it, and find hooks in what people are saying.

"Hello."
"Hi.
"How's life?"
"Pretty sameish. Bought a couple of CDs this weekend."

And there's your hook - music. From there, you can find out what music they like, and drop in that you're in a band, etc etc.

-Angry Lawyer

Agreed. But it's really depressing when you're talking to an old friend and a real conversation never blooms out of it.. =/

 

[Absinthe]

I avoid small talk. I'm never the one to start off, and my ability to sustain it is just barely passable. It's boring. It's awkward. It's not enjoyable. And there's no guarantee that anything will come from it. Few things suck worse than not getting a response, or having your little chat hit a dead end and leave both of you in cold silence.

I can do my little bit, so long as I have a payoff in sight. Alcohol or sex are the usual ones. But otherwise, I don't see why I should even bother. I'd find it more worthwhile if I just outright offended or creeped a person out. Like saying "I have a ****ing glass dildo stuck in me mum" just for the sake of it. Who cares if it comes at the expense of repelling them away? But if that were to resonate with the person for some reason, then we'd be off to a grand start.

 

[Smoke]

I avoid small talk. I'm never the one to start off, and my ability to sustain it is just barely passable. It's boring. It's awkward. It's not enjoyable. And there's no guarantee that anything will come from it. Few things suck worse than not getting a response, or having your little chat hit a dead end and leave both of you in cold silence.

I can do my little bit, so long as I have a payoff in sight. Alcohol or sex are the usual ones. But otherwise, I don't see why I should even bother. I'd find it more worthwhile if I just outright offended or creeped a person out. Like saying "I have a ****ing glass dildo stuck in me mum" just for the sake of it. Who cares if it comes at the expense of repelling them away? But if that were to resonate with the person for some reason, then we'd be off to a grand start.

I love you.

 

[RakuraiTenjin]

Because you never know what you will get out of it. Maybe they will answer with something beneficial to you.

But then again that's me and my ****ed up mentality because I go into every situation now with a business mentality thinking of how I can use the person

 

[Bad^Hat]

Most people don't even listen to your answer and go right to the next question. "How are you doing/how have you been" is just another way of saying "hi" or "hello".

As the man Dylan Moran says, it's one of those portals of conversations that alot of people are afraid of. You've got hello, and then you're on you're own. Alot of people don't know where to go from there -

"Hello... *awkward silence* ......... you wanna pineapple?"

 

[CrazyHarij]

small talk can be a great way to get a conversation going with people, and with friends is just part of getting into the whole "bros" mentality, just saying random shit, it doesn't really matter what you say. there's also a difference between being pointless chit chat, when you don't know somebody and are just trying to be polite, and between friends, at least imho

"Hey"
"Yo"
"what's up"
"not a lot, you"
"same, how've you been"
"good, and you"
"i'm alright, whatchu up to"
"nothin much, you"
"yeah me too, how's school"
"pretty good, you"
"yeah mine's ok"

haha alot of my conversations would have ended after that.

It`s a good way to learn about people, how are you going to manipulate somebody if you don`t make an effort, a subtle one, to learn more about them?

Most social activities are based around manipulation and trickery.

hahahahahaha

I avoid small talk. I'm never the one to start off, and my ability to sustain it is just barely passable. It's boring. It's awkward. It's not enjoyable. And there's no guarantee that anything will come from it. Few things suck worse than not getting a response, or having your little chat hit a dead end and leave both of you in cold silence.

I can do my little bit, so long as I have a payoff in sight. Alcohol or sex are the usual ones. But otherwise, I don't see why I should even bother. I'd find it more worthwhile if I just outright offended or creeped a person out. Like saying "I have a ****ing glass dildo stuck in me mum" just for the sake of it. Who cares if it comes at the expense of repelling them away? But if that were to resonate with the person for some reason, then we'd be off to a grand start.

brilliant