It’s a Dry Heat - Conversation Topics for Small Spaces

In general, I would say that I don’t care much for making small talk. It’s awkward and when you get stuck having to do it longer than you expected, it can be excruciatingly boring. There seem to be certain situations where it seems to naturally take place. I think of elevators and waiting rooms or just small spaces where you end up grouped with strangers. I guess there is always the hope that you will come across someone really interesting, but that’s rare. The worst is being stuck next to a chatterbox on a long flight.

Then there are the situations where small talk is needed to take attention off of other things, like flight delays. I also find that making small talk to your hair stylist is a good thing. I find that I do it with doctors too, especially the “girl” doctors. The people that I have to deal with that I need something from, I am more likely to encourage small talk.

So what the heck are you going to talk about? There’s always the weather. Amazing how many conversations begin over an observation of what’s going on outside, or what’s coming, or what just left. While I sit in airports, I often end up in conversations about airports and travel in general. There comes a point in the conversation where it is either going to end naturally or it’s going to morph into an interview. I guess it depends on who is asking the questions, but I generally try to avoid the interview.

So let’s see, today I made small talk with at least 4 people today: my doctor, my pedicurist, my skin care therapist, and the UPS guy. Now since these are all people I see on a regular basis, it’s a little bit beyond small talk reserved for strangers. Although I did have a weird conversation with the UPS guy last week. I went to go and send my expense receipts in as usual and walked in the door just as they were getting ready to close. He saw it was me and let me in. We chatted for a few minutes while taking care of the mailing business I had and then he asked if it was supposed to be hot for the weekend. I looked at him with a puzzled look on my face and asked him if that was a trick question. (I mean it’s July in the desert!) He realized what he asked and seemed a little embarrassed by it. I let it go although I did laugh and say that Yes, I did think it was supposed to be quite hot for the weekend. Man, it’s bad when you unleash your go-to small talk topic and it’s totally inappropriate.