Small talk

[Minnie824]

Are you good at making small talk with people? I stink at it and need some help. Theres so many places now, even more so with my kids in activities that you need to talk to other parents, coaches, etc and theres only so many times I can discuss the weather. Other people, it just comes naturally, but does anyone have any good topics to discuss or a way to make the small talk easier?

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Small talk is easy if you just master the one thing that most people have a real difficulty with. When you're faced with a situation where you need to make discussion with people you don't know well, or don't know at all, ask them about themselves!

That's right, ask them a question. If you're there for a kids sporting event, find out who their kid is, how he/she got into the sport, if there are any siblings at home, etc. You will find that there will be similarities to your own children (same schools, teachers, friends, activities) and you will then be able to turn the conversation to a topic upon which you are both familiar.

 

[Acklander]

Small talk is easy if you just master the one thing that most people have a real difficulty with. When you're faced with a situation where you need to make discussion with people you don't know well, or don't know at all, ask them about themselves!

Agree!!!! People love to talk about themselves, so it's just a matter of finding some common interests. Also, people LOVE giving advice, so ask away. Lots of times I'll mention that I want to pick up a movie and what have they seen lately that's good. Or I'll ask for advice on what's easy to make but good for an upcoming bake sale, or mention that I'm in a slump on fun things to do with the kids on rainy weekends, and what do they do - you get the idea.

 

[MIGrandma]

I have never been real comfortable with small talk, and the older I get the more I'll admit that I absolutely hate it!

The other day I had to have my eye pressure checked and after I checked in with the receptionist I sat down. The seating is in a "U" shape. I sat on a chair in one of the longer parts of the "U", there were two women across from me, and one woman sitting in the shorter part. The two and the one were chatting like old friends, back and forth, about this and that. Me? I picked up a magazine and started reading.

Then when the two were called (well, one was called but her companion went in with her) and it was just this one other woman and me I was praying she would not start talking to me. I do not care to make small talk with people in that type of situation. I don't care if it's rude or not. Oh, I would have answered her if she asked me something, but I wouldn't continue on with the conversation. I prefer to just be left alone and I leave others alone as well.

 

[NMAmy]

I really hate small talk and always have. However, I have a friend who clued me into Zephyr Hawk's trick and now it's pretty easy for me.

I become Question Girl (cue the superhero music.) That's what DH calls me when I'm in a new social situation. He once made a comment that I was so good at small talk so I explained my strategy to him.

I ask a question and while the person is asking it, I'm picking out some pertinent information for my next question. It really works and after awhile, I often become friends with these people.

For example at a sporting event:

Me: Which child is yours?
Unsuspecting victim: Oh, my daughter, Quinn, is playing first base.
Me: Quinn is a great name. How'd you choose that? Is it a family name or did you pick it out of a book?

or

Me: Does Quinn enjoy playing first base? How long has she been playing softball? Has she played any other positions?

Etc, etc, etc, ad infinitum. People really do enjoy talking about themselves or their families or their job or their hobbies. The possibilities are endless.

 

[eeyoremum]

I have never been real comfortable with small talk, and the older I get the more I'll admit that I absolutely hate it!

The other day I had to have my eye pressure checked and after I checked in with the receptionist I sat down. The seating is in a "U" shape. I sat on a chair in one of the longer parts of the "U", there were two women across from me, and one woman sitting in the shorter part. The two and the one were chatting like old friends, back and forth, about this and that. Me? I picked up a magazine and started reading.

Then when the two were called (well, one was called but her companion went in with her) and it was just this one other woman and me I was praying she would not start talking to me. I do not care to make small talk with people in that type of situation. I don't care if it's rude or not. Oh, I would have answered her if she asked me something, but I wouldn't continue on with the conversation. I prefer to just be left alone and I leave others alone as well.

I am with you HATE small talk. Also I am a very private person so don't like being asked questions about myself or my family by strangers. My solution is to carry my ipod everywhere I go.