56 Quotes About Small-talk

It's a common misconception that small talk can only ever be about trite or predictable subjects. Not so! You are in charge, and how whacky, profound or unexpected the conversation will get is totally up to you.

It's funny, because you always think the hard part is meeting someone the first time. It's not. It's the second time, because you've already used up all the obvious topics of conversation. And even if you haven't, it's strange and heavy-handed to introduce random conversational topics at this stage in the game. Hi, Reid. Let's converse about topics. HOW MANY SIBLINGS DO YOU HAVE? WHAT BOOKS DO YOU LIKE?

I never really know the protocol for this kind of situation. It's like when you're in line at a store, and a grandma starts telling you all about her grandchildren or her arthritis, and you smile and nod along. But then it's your turn to check out, so you're just like okay, well, good-bye forever.

My father has a tendency to start conversations in the middle of sentences. He’s also suspicious of anything modern - like nouns.

I always try to turn the spotlight on the other person." The longer you keep it shining away from you, the more interesting he or she finds you.

. . . when I talk to people I really like to talk to them, and not just exchange pleasantries and wonder which of us is going to try to get away first. Most social occasions leave me less than enthralled.

Conversations here follow the same pattern. An endless back-and-forth relay of absolute pointlessness. No question demands an honest answer. A question is asked as an exercise in formal behaviour. Questions that are greetings. Questions that are placeholders. Questions that fill awkward gaps. Questions to suggest an interest that does not exist. Questions that pretend to listen. Never, ever a question that seeks to know.

Small talk needs to get big at some phase.

Philip had a passion for discussion, but no talent for small-talk.