Rudy T Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Small talk with complete strangers - Is there a point to this that I'm missing and just a grumpy old man? The polite "morning" and a quick nod suits me Frequent occurrence at the bus stop in the morning. "It's a cold wind that" - yeah I know I'm standing in it freezing my nuts off you don't need to remind me. "Is there a bus due" - I guess so unless they're on strike - but the 15 people standing here would suggest that's not the case. "Those road works are getting worse" - Really how's that then ? "You wouldn't think it was nearly May" - Why wouldn't I - its almost the end of April, May tends to follow ? "The roads are busy today" - Yip they are so my journey to work will take longer thanks for your input ! The list goes on !! Honestly what are you supposed to say to these comments ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Private Womble Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Nod and smile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bilel Mohsni Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Doesn't really bother me... Good small-talk/chit-chat is the single man's best method of getting his end away too. As a married man, I engage in it far less, mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Afternoon, did you watch that shite on ESPN last night? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottish_chicP Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 You're just a grumpy old man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hansel Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I'm crap at it most of the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Gin Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Headphones, my good man. Headphones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Headphones, my good man. Headphones. Just turn the bloody volume down, just because you have the Spice Girls on full volume, it doesn't mean to say the whole train carriage/bus etc wants to hear it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Locky Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Don't bother trying it with anyone but don't oppose if the other person strikes up a conversation. Most times they're rattling a lot of pish and I just smile and nod politely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Serj Tankian Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Keep a set of headphones in my bag at work incase I had to work with a dullard bore they went on but most of the time they weren't connected . Hate chit chat with strangers . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorgiewave Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I detest small talk and I'm awful at it. I'd rather they gave me a calculus exam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Draper Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 I'm crap at it most of the time. Aye, but how's yer small talk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hansel Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Aye, but how's yer small talk? I don't know what to say to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Walnut Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Live your life 20% happier and engage in small talk when offered. Nothing good ever came from saying nothing! Trust me it works Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart McNeill Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 use Headphones whenever I'm alone! have them full blast so people know I can't hear them and don't want to speak! =] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GhostHunter Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 I detest small talk and I'm awful at it Strangely enough, that doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Anyway, Small Talk....what a load of shite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToadKiller Dog Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Thought this was a threat dedicated to Ronnie Corbetts short lived 90s quiz show . Dissapointing . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Benoit Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Not very good at it and get quite uncomfortable. I probably come across as a proper ignorant *******. Quite often I'll smile and nod for a bit then just walk away, thank **** I rarely use public transport. Thing is I'm in and out of folks houses all day (I'm a burglar) and I have no issue chatting away with folk I meet. In shops etc I just can't do it. Wife thinks I'm autistic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Better call Saul Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 As much as I detest people making small talk around the weather and other meaningless stuff.. EVERY BLOODY DAY I am now hearing Christmas Small talk Are you looking forward to Xmas Are you all set? Have you started your Xmas shopping? Have finished all your Xmas shopping (still to come) And the new year patter is just as bad Gee me strength. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Der Kaiser Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 You need a good "WTF" response. Something that will unnerve your stranger into stopping small talk. "Cold today isn't it" "Hmm...not good for frogs....it is not good for frogs. My frogs will not like the cold.....Frogs.....do you like frogs?...I do. Well...not all frogs...obviously." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irufushi Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Odd bump ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
been here before Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Cannae be doing with these fuds. A nod and a smile should suffice, perhaps even a "morning". As for these dickwads who regail you with "it's cold today/this morning" well aye it fxxkin well is. Its late November and its Scotland, its been like this for **** millenia- and it will get colder over the next few weeks-wheres the shock or surprise in that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyBatistuta Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Cannae beat it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyNic Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 On 23/04/2013 at 17:51, Private Womble said: Nod and smile. Nod, smile and say absolutely **** all. This, or pretend you haven't noticed them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victorian Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Someone wished me to have a nice Christmas today. I'm vaguely aware that Christmas is coming around in the weeks ahead but it is not really present in my thoughts. Christmas must be extremely important to some people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Worked with an old felly who used to say, on a particularly pishing wet morning on my arrival at the office, ‘Hiya, bit dampish outside isn’t it’? To be fair, rest his soul, he was a lovely man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 3 hours ago, luckyBatistuta said: Cannae beat it One of my least favourites was ‘oh, someone’s been on holiday’. Get feckin lost you arsehole, I obviously didn’t get this tan in Edinburgh so go and feck yourself. Or just say to him ‘who’? And, how is it so ‘obvious’? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorgiewave Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Tell them you're a Muslim and you find the question offensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skinnybob72 Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 Pretend you have Tourette's whenever travelling on public transport - guaranteed you will get no small talk from strangers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alwayssunnyingorgie Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 I don't mind small talk, I do it at work but when I'm out with the dog and someone talks to me I get taken by surprise and I freeze. I hate when someone walks with me when I'm out with the dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Better call Saul Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 5 hours ago, Irufushi said: Odd bump ! No really I was going to start a thread on small talk with Christmas and the shite chat that comes with it but I did what any good JKBer should do and search for an older thread and relight it.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FWJ Posted November 22, 2017 Share Posted November 22, 2017 If I go into a lift or arrive at a bus stop and there’s someone there I’ll always say “ ‘Morning” or whatever. I don’t want to discuss the meaning of life with them or imagine that they’re my new BFF but I think it’s weird and harder work to pretend there’s no-one there. Morgan - as you’ll know, in France it would be unthinkable not to say ‘Bonjour’ to people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rab87 Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Can't believe how early it is getting dark these days, eh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyBatistuta Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Busy tonight driver Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stuart Lyon Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Is it your cab? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FWJ Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Just now, luckyBatistuta said: Busy tonight driver What time are you on till? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 12 hours ago, FWJ said: If I go into a lift or arrive at a bus stop and there’s someone there I’ll always say “ ‘Morning” or whatever. I don’t want to discuss the meaning of life with them or imagine that they’re my new BFF but I think it’s weird and harder work to pretend there’s no-one there. Morgan - as you’ll know, in France it would be unthinkable not to say ‘Bonjour’ to people. That’s for sure. Shops, in the street, doctor and dentist waiting rooms, restaurants, bars, feckin everywhere. It’s purely just a habit though as the French can be right rude b@stards most of the other time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 2 minutes ago, luckyBatistuta said: Busy tonight driver How’s business? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyBatistuta Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 2 minutes ago, FWJ said: What time are you on till? It annoys the hell out of some, I don't mind...I love small talk, bring it on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyBatistuta Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 2 minutes ago, Morgan said: How’s business? Rather have that, than some sour face sitting in the back who doesn't want a chat. It's healthy to have a wee chat...I am a mobile psychiatrist, you wouldn't believe the stuff folk tell you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Just now, luckyBatistuta said: Rather have that, than some sour face sitting in the back who doesn't want a chat. It's healthy to have a wee chat...I am a mobile psychiatrist, you wouldn't believe the stuff folk tell you Do you ever get folk turn off the speaker thingy so you can’t hear them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyBatistuta Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 3 minutes ago, Morgan said: Do you ever get folk turn off the speaker thingy so you can’t hear them? Once in a while, but hardly ever. I can still hear you though There are some really grumpy basses around, there really are. I'll talk to anyone, bus stop, supermarket etc. I don't see anything wrong with it, some folk need to lighten up, you might find you enjoy life a bit more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 1 minute ago, luckyBatistuta said: Once in a while, but hardly ever. I can still hear you though There are some really grumpy basses around, there really are. I'll talk to anyone, bus stop, supermarket etc. I don't see anything wrong with it, some folk need to lighten up, you might find you enjoy life a bit more. Can you really still hear them talking in the back with the thingy switched off? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyBatistuta Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 8 minutes ago, Morgan said: Can you really still hear them talking in the back with the thingy switched off? Yeah, too right I can. You sound worried, what you been saying/doing in the back of a cab Morgan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 3 minutes ago, luckyBatistuta said: Yeah, too right I can. You sound worried, what you been saying/doing in the back of a cab Morgan? Thinking I was whispering about the drivers looks and that I JUST WASN’T going to tip him for going from the airport to Bruntsfield via Portobello. That’s all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redjambo Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 I completely agree with the OP. Whenever I meet someone new, I cut out the crap and immediately launch into an in-depth discussion on the metaphysical realities of Platonic philosophy or the comparison of pre- and post- industrial revolution monetary policies. I suspect that this may not always put my temporary acquaintance at ease, but I simply don't want to waste my time making any sort of connection with anybody that doesn't produce worthwhile reflection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 Just now, redjambo said: I completely agree with the OP. Whenever I meet someone new, I cut out the crap and immediately launch into an in-depth discussion on the metaphysical realities of Platonic philosophy or the comparison of pre- and post- industrial revolution monetary policies. I suspect that this may not always put my temporary acquaintance at ease, but I simply don't want to waste my time making any sort of connection with anybody that doesn't produce worthwhile reflection. That’s the way to do it. Probably makes a party EVEN more fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redjambo Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 27 minutes ago, luckyBatistuta said: Rather have that, than some sour face sitting in the back who doesn't want a chat. It's healthy to have a wee chat...I am a mobile psychiatrist, you wouldn't believe the stuff folk tell you As a long-standing hitch-hiker, I know exactly where you're coming from. If people know that they will only see you for a short time and then, probably, never hear from you again, they often open up in a way that they wouldn't do normally. I've had some simply amazing conversations with the folk that have picked me up while hitch-hiking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redjambo Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 1 minute ago, Morgan said: That’s the way to do it. Probably makes a party EVEN more fun. Hoping for an invite to your next party, Morgan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyBatistuta Posted November 23, 2017 Share Posted November 23, 2017 4 minutes ago, Morgan said: Thinking I was whispering about the drivers looks and that I JUST WASN’T going to tip him for going from the airport to Bruntsfield via Portobello. That’s all. Aye right, that never happened. I once picked up my old neighbour who told me he'd always wanted to have sex with his partner in the back of a cab. He asked me if I ever picked him up again, would it be alright for them to do it and it would be alright for me to watch Anyway, that's a lovely blue sky today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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