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RE: Making small talk more interesting
April 7, 2018 at 2:40 pm
(This post was last modified: April 7, 2018 at 2:42 pm by Whateverist.)
(April 7, 2018 at 2:25 pm)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote: People on planes have the worst, absolutely most awful attempts at small talk. And why even attempt it? What the everlasting fuck makes you assume that, simply because we happen to be seated next to each other, there exists some sort of moral imperative that you engage me in some inane conversation for which I did not ask and clearly - because I'm reading a BOOK fer chrissakes - do not want?
And for the love of Mike, why, in the name of all that's pertinent, would you ask, 'Where are you headed?' It's a non-stop flight, you dimwitted bumhole - I'M GOING TO THE SAME PLACE YOU ARE!!!
jeezes pleezus.
Boru
Living as most of us do I think being able to limit intimacy is at least as important as having it worked into your life. Never sit next to my wife on a plane. On a long flight we always get seats across the isle from each other. For longer flights we can play cards or share snacks that way. But when she starts eliciting her neighbor's life story I can put on my music, open my book and make them disappear.
Almost forgot, there was a ten day off trail hike we went on one time where we saw no one for days. Toward the end when people started passing us more frequently I started finding them interesting to look at and even to talk to. At the start of the hike, that wouldn't have been true.
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RE: Making small talk more interesting
April 7, 2018 at 2:45 pm
Lol, why don't you guys sit together in planes??
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
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RE: Making small talk more interesting
April 7, 2018 at 5:07 pm
I like small talk that's purpose is a genuine lead-in to large talk.
I hate small talk that's purpose is to soften me up to ask for something like directions or a cigarette.
I also hate small writing that's only purpose is to remind me that I need to see an optometrist soon.
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RE: Making small talk more interesting
April 7, 2018 at 5:10 pm
I can't do small talk, especially at work. It's like, "I'm here to make your sandwich, not to engage in useless chit-chat."
"Never trust a fox. Looks like a dog, behaves like a cat."
~ Erin Hunter
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RE: Making small talk more interesting
April 7, 2018 at 5:44 pm
I'd like to get a sandwich from you. I find that sirs and ma'am and other sorts of formality have been replaced by people broing with you and then screwing up your purchase, whatever it might be.
"Sorry, 'bro'. Take this pizza back. I didn't ask for mushrooms."
"For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring." - Carl Sagan
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RE: Making small talk more interesting
April 7, 2018 at 5:49 pm
(April 7, 2018 at 1:30 pm)Bahana Wrote: This has been a challenge to me for a long time. It's difficult for me to fake being interested in the way some people like to have introductory small talk. One person started talking to me by just saying the name of the city I live in and "huh?". Do you prefer the stock small talk questions about family and work?
I like to try and steer the conversation into something thought-provoking or something that sparks a memory about a story, tradition, food etc.
Try asking the right questions, because people love to talk about themselves.
This advice doesn't work too well with narcissists.
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RE: Making small talk more interesting
April 7, 2018 at 6:11 pm
From what I understand, the key to small talk is to ask questions, and then feign interest in the answer. Unfortunately I just can't be arsed.
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RE: Making small talk more interesting
April 7, 2018 at 8:02 pm
(April 7, 2018 at 2:45 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: Lol, why don't you guys sit together in planes??
Isle seats generally give you more room as long as you watch out that the beverage cart doesn't take your shoulder off. Plus Lia needs to get up and walk around for health reasons and I sure don't want to sit in a center seat.
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RE: Making small talk more interesting
April 7, 2018 at 9:50 pm
(April 7, 2018 at 2:40 pm)Whateverist Wrote: (April 7, 2018 at 2:25 pm)BrianSoddingBoru4 Wrote: People on planes have the worst, absolutely most awful attempts at small talk. And why even attempt it? What the everlasting fuck makes you assume that, simply because we happen to be seated next to each other, there exists some sort of moral imperative that you engage me in some inane conversation for which I did not ask and clearly - because I'm reading a BOOK fer chrissakes - do not want?
And for the love of Mike, why, in the name of all that's pertinent, would you ask, 'Where are you headed?' It's a non-stop flight, you dimwitted bumhole - I'M GOING TO THE SAME PLACE YOU ARE!!!
jeezes pleezus.
Boru
Almost forgot, there was a ten day off trail hike we went on one time where we saw no one for days. Toward the end when people started passing us more frequently I started finding them interesting to look at and even to talk to. At the start of the hike, that wouldn't have been true.
Ha - that reminds me of being off work for 4 months after my daughter was born. I was pretty isolated at home with the baby and her father wasn't around much. I'm not one to go on and on in phone conversations but the phone was a lifeline back then. Ever have a friend that you just can't get off the phone even though you signal that you're done with the conversation? Yeah, that was me during that time lol.
-Teresa
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RE: Making small talk more interesting
April 7, 2018 at 9:58 pm
(This post was last modified: April 7, 2018 at 10:02 pm by brewer.)
I don't run into that many midgets, um........ little people so...............
(April 7, 2018 at 9:50 pm)Tres Leches Wrote: Ha - that reminds me of being off work for 4 months after my daughter was born. I was pretty isolated at home with the baby and her father wasn't around much. I'm not one to go on and on in phone conversations but the phone was a lifeline back then. Ever have a friend that you just can't get off the phone even though you signal that you're done with the conversation? Yeah, that was me during that time lol.
-Teresa
Apparently you are unfamiliar with "phone guess what?". Most people don't like it but it does not take long for them to get the point.
them:blah, blah, blah.
you: Hey, guess what.
them: What?
you: click
Being told you're delusional does not necessarily mean you're mental.
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