Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

I'm not that great at small talk either.

But I have no problem with MIL on the phone. I couldn't get a word in even if I wanted too.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

I'm HORRIBLE!!! Terrible. I hate talking on the phone for this reason. I also hate running into people I "kinda" know. Like a guy I went to HS with 10 years ago...so awkward...

Anyone have any tips?

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

Depends on who I am talking to and how much alcohol I have!

I'm okay at it in general... but sometimes you get someone who gives you one word answers or blank stares and then it just gets weird.

I make great small talk with my in-laws (especially my FIL) at their home.. but it's more difficult on the phone.

Message edited 5/5/2009 9:17:59 AM.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

I'd said I'm fair to good in the work environment, otherwise I suck eggs.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

pretty bad-I used to be SO much better

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

I think I am ok at it. I'll talk about where that person lives, where they work, or a mutual interest - if I am at a party, "how do you know the host?" and that usually starts some kind of conversation ... I wouldn't say I am great at it, but I am a talker so I can usually find something ...

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

I am okay at it but it makes me very uncomfortable. That is why I loooove email, facebook, AIM. . .

I HATE when I send someone something and they CALL ME to thank me - I am like just send a card, if I wanted to talk to you I would have handed it to you and not had it delivered.


I dont think this because I dont want to talk to the person, but because its always so awkward! Like when I send things to DH's cousins, aunts, uncles

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

Eh-depends. I can keep I my end if I have a willing partner. However, if someone has nothing to say back, I still try but it doesn't always work.

As for hints: There are certain people I know I will have a hard time talking to on the phone however I also know I have to call them. So, before I make the call I think of 5 topics we can talk about. That will usually get the conversation going, and if not, I know I tried. I have one very close friend who is so hard to talk to on the phone, just empty pauses, silence. I especially do the list with her.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

I don't like talking on the phone but I think I could talk to just about anyone if they're willing and open. DH has said that about me, and wondered how I'm not concerned about talking to people I've never spoken to before. I don't know why, it doesn't faze me. It takes some time for DH to really open up, and I can't relate to that either.

My best tip is that almost everyone likes to talk about themselves. So if there's a silence, ask them something about their day, their week, their weather, their job, their home, their family, their pet, whatever. You can usually find something you have in common.

When I talk to someone I haven't talked to in a while, I try to remember major things about them or our last conversation and ask them how those things are going.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

Eh, horrible mostly.
I'm not good at it and don't like to do it. If someone else initiates a conversation, i'm fine with following along and contributing, but usually i'm more of a listener. Unless someone asks me about something i'm interested in (like work, the house etc.) then i can ramble on all day!

I've even been accused of being snobby because i'm not always social and talking to everyone. Completely wrong assessment as its usually because i'm shy with people i don't know. If someone starts the ball rolling, i'm fine though.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

Posted by greenfreak

I don't like talking on the phone but I think I could talk to just about anyone if they're willing and open. DH has said that about me, and wondered how I'm not concerned about talking to people I've never spoken to before. I don't know why, it doesn't faze me. It takes some time for DH to really open up, and I can't relate to that either.

My best tip is that almost everyone likes to talk about themselves. So if there's a silence, ask them something about their day, their week, their weather, their job, their home, their family, their pet, whatever. You can usually find something you have in common.

When I talk to someone I haven't talked to in a while, I try to remember major things about them or our last conversation and ask them how those things are going.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

i'm TERRIBLE untill the ball gets rolling...i think that's why i'm not really a phone person either. untill a conversation gets going, or we actually have something to talk about - i'm the WORST!! dh on the otherhand? he can have a conversation with anybody...whether it's a relative, an aqaintence, someone he hasn't seen in years, etc.. i'm always amazed by it!

Message edited 5/5/2009 2:19:02 PM.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

I'm great at it. My friends always said I can talk to a wall.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

Big fat ZERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I totally suck at small talk, and do really really horrible in a crowd.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

I am terrible at it...it's like torture for me.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

I think I am because DH is in sales and knows how to talk and he's prepped me

People like to talk about themselves (because it's comfortable and they know the subject) so just keep asking them questions about whats going on in their lives. Usually that keeps a conversation going and I can interject when I find something we have in common.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

Pretty good at it. I can find something to talk about with anyone.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

Very good, I am a phone person, I can chat all day!

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

I think I'm pretty good at it... I like to talk with people about random stuff.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

Posted by baghag

Posted by CoopersMom01

Horrible horrible!!!
It's frustrating and embarassing!

Me too.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

Oh I am horrible, I am so shy to begin with. I can be okay, however, when some initiates a conversation. But, I hate when the ball is in my court.

Re: Making small talk - how would you rate yourself?

I am good at it but I am so tired these days that I don't care to do it.