Comments on: The problem with small talk http://www.tinygigantic.com/2007/04/26/the-problem-with-small-talk/ An inspration feed updated daily by the troublemakers at Language in Common Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:16:12 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.1 By: Nancy http://www.tinygigantic.com/2007/04/26/the-problem-with-small-talk/#comment-1952 Nancy Thu, 26 Apr 2007 21:01:20 +0000 http://www.tinygigantic.com/2007/04/26/the-problem-with-small-talk/#comment-1952 Whenever any one asks me "What do you do?" I try to give them an unexpected answer. The best, most honest one -- "I spend a lot of time trying to think of interesting answers to that question" -- has gotten me into a lot of good conversations. On the other hand, if I'm at a bar and a guy thinks "What do you do?" is going to cut it as a pick-up line, I try to gross him out so he will leave me alone. Most effective so far: "I pick my nose when I'm driving." Whenever any one asks me “What do you do?” I try to give them an unexpected answer. The best, most honest one — “I spend a lot of time trying to think of interesting answers to that question” — has gotten me into a lot of good conversations.

On the other hand, if I’m at a bar and a guy thinks “What do you do?” is going to cut it as a pick-up line, I try to gross him out so he will leave me alone. Most effective so far: “I pick my nose when I’m driving.”

]]> By: Burst http://www.tinygigantic.com/2007/04/26/the-problem-with-small-talk/#comment-1953 Burst Thu, 26 Apr 2007 21:41:52 +0000 http://www.tinygigantic.com/2007/04/26/the-problem-with-small-talk/#comment-1953 I wholehreatedly agree and join your moratorium!! My favorite is "what's your favorite jello flavor?" Or, surprising people when they ask "how's it going?' with something completely inappropriate. I'm secretly hoping when I enter elevators to be suffering from some embarrassing malady that comes out of nowhere... it can bring a little conversational spice to the normally interminable ride. I wholehreatedly agree and join your moratorium!!

My favorite is “what’s your favorite jello flavor?”

Or, surprising people when they ask “how’s it going?’ with something completely inappropriate. I’m secretly hoping when I enter elevators to be suffering from some embarrassing malady that comes out of nowhere… it can bring a little conversational spice to the normally interminable ride.

]]> By: Bob http://www.tinygigantic.com/2007/04/26/the-problem-with-small-talk/#comment-1954 Bob Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:34:31 +0000 http://www.tinygigantic.com/2007/04/26/the-problem-with-small-talk/#comment-1954 I struggle with making small talk. I'd love to hear some of the best tips to start true and genuine conversations. Heck, I'd even be up to be part of the month-long "no boring conversations" experiment. I struggle with making small talk. I’d love to hear some of the best tips to start true and genuine conversations. Heck, I’d even be up to be part of the month-long “no boring conversations” experiment.

]]> By: judson http://www.tinygigantic.com/2007/04/26/the-problem-with-small-talk/#comment-1983 judson Fri, 27 Apr 2007 20:17:35 +0000 http://www.tinygigantic.com/2007/04/26/the-problem-with-small-talk/#comment-1983 Though dangerous, commenting about someones appearance can be a good starter. I'm large and kinda scary and find it funny and gratifying when it's pointed out rather than feared. Though dangerous, commenting about someones appearance can be a good starter. I’m large and kinda scary and find it funny and gratifying when it’s pointed out rather than feared.

]]> By: josh kamler http://www.tinygigantic.com/2007/04/26/the-problem-with-small-talk/#comment-1985 josh kamler Fri, 27 Apr 2007 20:28:47 +0000 http://www.tinygigantic.com/2007/04/26/the-problem-with-small-talk/#comment-1985 bob: i hear ya. last night, i had to do some small talk actually. a few times. the first time i failed miserably, and had to resort to "what do you do?" and then had to find a way to engage with the answer. it turned out to be a decent conversation, but only because i forced myself to ask questions that might matter to the person i was talking with. bob: i hear ya. last night, i had to do some small talk actually. a few times. the first time i failed miserably, and had to resort to “what do you do?” and then had to find a way to engage with the answer. it turned out to be a decent conversation, but only because i forced myself to ask questions that might matter to the person i was talking with.

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