Small chat: does anybody really enjoy it? I generally despise seeing people I only vaguely know in public. Commonly, they’ll ask me, “Hey, how’s everything going” as I’m quickly rushing to grab a bite to eat, make a lecture, or catch the last bus home. Hesitantly, I reply, “Yeah, really busy.” But that’s no hint for these friendly imposters. “Oh, yeah? What with?” they’ll continue.
At this stage I wish I answered with a simple “Good thanks”. Would that have shortened the conversation? More to the point – do these people, who are almost strangers, genuinely care about how I am and what I’ve been doing? I certainly don’t give a rats what they’ve been doing, unless it entails drastic change or someone remotely important in their life passing away… things like that.
Now, to define these people: an old classmate you were barely friends with back in 1997, your Mum’s colleague’s son, or that blonde girl you used to work with a few months ago (she worked days, you worked nights). Do these people feel they have some wildly strong connection with me that they have to invade my course of action?
Sure, I’m a strong believer of always being friendly, smiling, and saying hello. But if you are one of these “Hello, how are you? What have you been doing? How’s life? What’s new?” people, please note that there are people such as myself who try and avoid you at all costs.
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2 comments:
What I think is worse is the older age group of males and men (lets say 30+) approaching you at nightclubs wanting to get 'down and dirty' on the dance floor. And to top it all off - they don't give up and you look up at their hands (which are frantically waving in the air) and see a wedding ring and just wonder what the poor poor POOR wife is slaving away to at home..
Yeah i hate small talk. Especially when it's completely pointless. What's wrong with just a nod and a simple "mornin'"
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