Small Talk

I wish it was more acceptable to be blunt in modern society. As someone who deals with mild social anxiety I wish the expectation and pressure of small talk was less prominent. I wish when someone asked how my day was, they actually wanted to know. They weren't looking for a generic happy answer. I could say "I'm having a horrible day." And if they didn't want the emotional weight of my true answer, that didn't have to ask. I feel our society could benefit greatly from that.

 

 There seems to be a stigma around the word "blunt" that tinges it with negativity. But being blunt doesn't have to be rude or condescending, it can be helpful and compassionate. Bluntness is often closely related to openness and honesty, and sometimes its hard to be open without being blunt. I for one, would prefer people not to ask how I'm doing unless they really want to know. So that I don't have to answer a pointless question with a pointless answer. Just to appease a social expectation.

 

It's not that there is no value in greetings or small talk, just the overabundance and pressure of it. I do see the value of greetings between family, friends, and coworkers. However I don't see the value of the social pressure to chat with the cashier at the grocery store, or even the pressure to greet every coworker you encounter. To me, a smile and nod do the job just fine. For many this may seem ridiculous and even rude. But for others, simple social interactions are exhausting. And the pressure to make unnecessary conversation just adds to the drain. Maybe we should be a little more conscious and conservative with the exchanges we have with other people. And give a little more thought before we speak.

Thoughts, Love, and Stories down bellow,

Enigma