Is it just me, or do you think that most small-talk is ridiculous? I get it that humans are social beings, but as I have mentioned before, I don’t feel like most humans (I think), and this makes daily excursions even more annoying – even with my earplugs in. When I am at my son’s karate I put my phone away so that I can enjoy watching him, but regardless of how hard I try to ignore the banter around me, my brain is constantly doing an inner eye roll at the meaningless conversations I am subject to.
Here are some examples: (*Names have been changed to colours to maintain privacy, and just because I feel like it.)
“My daughter has her license now…just wait until Ruby* has hers in a few years, you’re in for it!” – Typical my kid is older than your kid so I’ve been through more than you as a parent banter. Boring.
“I wake up at 7:30 every morning”…”Pearl* honey, I wake up at 5:30 every morning” – Typical I have a tougher life than you so I must be stronger because I wake up earlier convo. Who cares!
“The lawn is so soggy, Mr. Green* can’t mow it yet!” Typical 1st world problem weather blabber. So not original.
“Jade* looks so good lately. I really need to lose this last 10 pounds.” Typical western culture, weight obsessed sadness. Depressing
My question is… does anyone out there ACTUALLY like having these conversations? It’s not a rhetorical question. I really want to know your view on this. Please help my alien brain to understand why some people enjoy talking about nothing. Please tell me if this doesn’t exhaust you.
Thank you.
UpTalk Podcast
Paramedic Nat 
May 7, 2017 at 9:59 PM
Yes these meaningless and stupid conversations irritate me. This is why I usually don’t pay attention to those around me.
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May 7, 2017 at 10:17 PM
I used to be good at small talk, but now, not so much, it feels empty. Lately I find as some small talk turns to a conversation that appears meaningful to the friends I am socializing with, I have trouble relating to what they are saying, so many things that people talk about seem so trivial.
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May 8, 2017 at 5:26 AM
Thank you for sharing this. It’s good to know I’m not alone.
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May 8, 2017 at 7:04 AM
Small talk is necessary In situations. I usually avoid it if I ament going to see the person again I look ahead or I’m very frequently plugged into my earphones. If I am going to see the person again or I can develop a friendship (and I’ve had enough coffee) I’ll engage
Try watching Curb Your Enthusiasm. Great Humour around situations like this,
Aidan
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May 8, 2017 at 8:30 AM
I shall take your advice! 🤗 Big hug.
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May 8, 2017 at 9:15 AM
You asked for our opinion., so here is mine. I am going out on a limb by answering this. One because “no one ever asks for my opinion” and two “I am afraid I will hurt someone’s feelings.
I enjoy listening to small talk!
“I feel like it is an escape from my big problems” I have this friend who constantly talks about big, depressing things when ever I see her.
I find it draining. As I am writing this, I realize that some friends would definitely say the same thing about me. Isn’t life ironic?
Yesterday at church (after the service) we were all making small talk about my hair. This adorable 82 year old lady said “if you got it cut it would take years off you” my response was “I am saving up for it” Her response was “we will have a bake sale” I laughed my head off and so did everyone sitting at our table.
That was the only laugh that I had yesterday…..Sometimes there is a gift that is hidden in small talk.
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May 8, 2017 at 10:19 AM
I would rather have cancer than PTSD!
My sister judged me when I said that to her, however her journey in life has been very different then mine.
As the saying goes “Those who judge will never understand. Those who understand will never Judge”
Thank you for this blog. I enjoy reading your posts.
Your bring light into the darkness of this illness but also “TRUTH”
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May 8, 2017 at 10:21 AM
Sorry for the grammar mistakes…..I can’t remember how to structure a sentence anymore.
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May 8, 2017 at 5:45 PM
Hi there I termed it “fluffy” conversations years ago. And my question is “do fluffy people know they are fluffy?”
“A life of purpose reveals the purpose of life”
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May 8, 2017 at 6:02 PM
Not a sufferer, but like to read about others. I find a lot of times people simply can’t bring themselves to talk in a meaningful way but need to connect and small talk meets the need.
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May 26, 2017 at 4:02 PM
most of the time I agree Nat! Some of the conversations you overheard are what I call “one-uppers”…you know, the need to say one has done something better, bigger, stronger, more…makes me crazy(er) 😉 Sometimes, I don’t mind listening or less often even engaging in it if I’m feeling too drained to participate in something more. Most often though I find it feels silly, like a waste of words.
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June 9, 2017 at 11:19 AM
I’m with you on this. I too am an eye rolling eavesdropper of the passive aggressive small talk of Earthlings. We must be from the same planet 🙂
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