Pick a little, talk a little, pick a little, talk a little...
There's a definite give and take to small talk. I realize this, but am powerless to really participate.
I definitely have the gift of gab, (ask Bob, ask former co-workers) but I don't have the gift of small talk. I have to warm up to people before I just start talking to them. And small talk questions? Well, I'm usually tongue-tied when it comes to a response.
I can say that I'm fine and ask how someone else is feeling. But even though my husband is a meteorologist, I'm really not big on talking about the weather. Politics and money make me uncomfortable and I'm kind of out of the pop culture loop at the moment.
Little Elvis has been a wonderful treatment for my smalltalkphobia. Because people typically ask questions that have a definite answer. He's 13 1/2 months. He has 7 teeth. Yes, he's cutting an 8th. Yes, he is absolutely adorable.
If strangers ask me any tangible questions like these, I'm golden.
But I'm at a loss when people say, "You can tell he isn't loved," (wink, wink) or "Poor thing, he's just not attractive at all," (again, wink, wink.) Or today's strange comment made by an uncle in front of his two very sweet nephews who were I'm guessing 4 and 5. "Start drinking now."
What am I supposed to say to that? I just kind of half smiled and laughed. I'm assuming it was supposed to be funny. But it was just weird.
This is my problem with small talk. I think some people just need to fill up the empty air with nonsense. I guess I'm fine sitting in empty air.
The strange thing is that my dad is like the king of small talkers. He makes friends while standing in the checkout line. He doesn't really meet strangers. My mom is in sales. I should have inherited the small talk gene. But I didn't.
So if you encounter me in a store and say something weird to or about Little Elvis. Don't think I'm rude if I don't respond. I honestly just don't know what to say.
I definitely have the gift of gab, (ask Bob, ask former co-workers) but I don't have the gift of small talk. I have to warm up to people before I just start talking to them. And small talk questions? Well, I'm usually tongue-tied when it comes to a response.
I can say that I'm fine and ask how someone else is feeling. But even though my husband is a meteorologist, I'm really not big on talking about the weather. Politics and money make me uncomfortable and I'm kind of out of the pop culture loop at the moment.
Little Elvis has been a wonderful treatment for my smalltalkphobia. Because people typically ask questions that have a definite answer. He's 13 1/2 months. He has 7 teeth. Yes, he's cutting an 8th. Yes, he is absolutely adorable.
If strangers ask me any tangible questions like these, I'm golden.
But I'm at a loss when people say, "You can tell he isn't loved," (wink, wink) or "Poor thing, he's just not attractive at all," (again, wink, wink.) Or today's strange comment made by an uncle in front of his two very sweet nephews who were I'm guessing 4 and 5. "Start drinking now."
What am I supposed to say to that? I just kind of half smiled and laughed. I'm assuming it was supposed to be funny. But it was just weird.
This is my problem with small talk. I think some people just need to fill up the empty air with nonsense. I guess I'm fine sitting in empty air.
The strange thing is that my dad is like the king of small talkers. He makes friends while standing in the checkout line. He doesn't really meet strangers. My mom is in sales. I should have inherited the small talk gene. But I didn't.
So if you encounter me in a store and say something weird to or about Little Elvis. Don't think I'm rude if I don't respond. I honestly just don't know what to say.
posted by Pregnantly Plump at 8:47 PM
4 Comments:
Ooh I don`t have this gift either. And my mom rocks it, but I do not have it. at all. Especially with people I am supposed to know, like my girlfriend`s husbands or my husband`s friends.
ugh.
You are right. The drinking comment is weird. I don't mind small talk but I rather get to the more intese subjects.
My parents are good at it. My brother is good at it. I find it annoying, but I can play the role. I DO find it to be exhausting, though. ;)
Im the queen of small talk, or more of filling any silence with any stupid words that come to my head. We would be terrible talking together
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