Do you enjoy small talk with strangers, or do you try to avoid it at all costs?

[jo-jo]

I don't mind talking for two mins on the elevator or in line at grocery. But being trapped to talk to someone for an hour sharing a table at germany is another thing.

 

[Skellingtonj]

I must look approachable despite trying not to look it lol. Everyone talks to me. Everyone

 

[Hikergirl]

I wouldn't say I avoid it, I just don't start up conversations with strangers. I will engage in a conversation that someone starts with me though.

 

[Skywalker]

I don't enjoy small talk generally, mostly because I have no idea what to say. I just don't really know how to do chit chat but I will try my best if someone wants to lol. Also, I must admit if a stranger starts talking to me in public or in a line or whatever, my first thought is to question if they have a screw loose. If they seem sane, I will engage.

 

[Disneylover99]

I don't mind a bit of chit chat for a minute or two. But I'm pretty good at ending it if it goes on too long.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It depends on the situation but generally speaking I've got no issue talking with people. I honestly don't even notice each and every situation in which I've talked with people randomly, even for a short time, sometimes them striking up conversation and sometimes me striking up conversation.

It happens in stores (aisles, checkout counters), it happens at social functions, it happens on vacation, it happens in restaurants (usually when waiting for a table), etc. Some days I'll feel more chatty than others but at the core of it I don't mind conversing with people.

At the very least it's common to hear out and about "ope" (look that up for a midwestern {though not only found in the midwest} thing if that looks strange lol) if you bump into someone, need to move out of their way, etc followed often by "sorry" or "excuse me" and that in itself can strike up a brief conversation.

 

[Micca]

It's interesting seeing so many comments from the non-chatty folks/introverts that are among some of the most prolific posters on the Dis.

 

[mjkacmom]

Utterly no interest in talking to strangers in person.

Extroverts are just attention seekers and I'm not there to keep their egos entertained.

What a strange thing to say, some people are just naturally friendly and enjoy talking to others.

 

[mom2rtk]

It depends on the situation but generally speaking I've got no issue talking with people. I honestly don't even notice each and every situation in which I've talked with people randomly, even for a short time, sometimes them striking up conversation and sometimes me striking up conversation.

It happens in stores (aisles, checkout counters), it happens at social functions, it happens on vacation, it happens in restaurants (usually when waiting for a table), etc. Some days I'll feel more chatty than others but at the core of it I don't mind conversing with people.

At the very least it's common to hear out and about "ope" (look that up for a midwestern {though not only found in the midwest} thing if that looks strange lol) if you bump into someone, need to move out of their way, etc followed often by "sorry" or "excuse me" and that in itself can strike up a brief conversation.

I live in the same area as you and never heard the term "ope".

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I live in the same area as you and never heard the term "ope".

Must not cross state lines lol

IDK I hear it all the time. It's hard to explain what it sounds like if you've never heard it and many people aren't even aware they do it. I said it so much in my lifetime but never really caught onto it until one day I saw something and was like "ohhhh that's what I've been doing all these years".

 

[lovin'fl]

I'm an introvert. I don't go out much (stay at home even though my 'kids' are all in college). When kids were young and we had to do activities with them, I sucked it up for them and did stuff I would rather not have (like chaperoned overnight camp and ran bingo and silent auction fundraisers and was class mom and team mom and took DDs on weekend travel ball tournaments without DH...etc). But I did what I had to and would sit in the outfield alone at times when I needed space and that sort of thing. And when I went to grocery store and spotted another parent I knew, I'd hide (sneak around to not pass them) so as to avoid conversation. Yet, oddly when we vacation I love chatting with strangers. When eating out I also don't mind chatting with strangers. It's just folks I am acquainted with, that I try to avoid. We moved states and into a townhome just 18 months ago. The neighbors, mostly older folks (like 70+), immediately were curious to meet us. Very friendly (kinda nosy). But I have to walk the dog 4 times a day and try to avoid other people because they always want to make small talk (nosy). I am just not into it. It's my biggest negative about owning this townhome. Can't have my reclusive privacy. And when friends call I don't want to answer in case they A) want to chat a lot or B) want to meet up for something. So maybe I'm not really an introvert but just don't like being close to people. I have a wall up. Just don't like dealing with the difficult, cunning, manipulative, self absorbed, grumpy and all other negative things that people are (people suck...not always but often enough that I just rather avoid). Chatting with strangers you'll never see again is typically a nice experience...just a nice chat (like on a Disney bus...chat about Disney and then get off and go separate ways). Plus I don't care what strangers think about me but I always have that worry with acquaintances.

 

[shh]

Cubbiecakes said: ↑"Utterly no interest in talking to strangers in person. Extroverts are just attention seekers and I'm not there to keep their egos entertained."

What a strange thing to say, some people are just naturally friendly and enjoy talking to others.

Or just lonely. Many people's families are far away or have passed away and the few moments they're in a store, on a bus or out somewhere, they just want to connect with another human voice.

 

[JaxDad]

I really enjoy talking to strangers. I wouldn’t call it small talk. I just like learning from and about other people. It can be fascinating! However, I think I’m keen enough on social cues to just back off as gracefully as possible if the other person seems uncomfortable.

 

[shh]

Yet, oddly when we vacation I love chatting with strangers. When eating out I also don't mind chatting with strangers. It's just folks I am acquainted with, that I try to avoid.

Love this. That's how I feel about socializing with clients or at work related functions. I enjoy striking up conversations anywhere else because I'm relaxed. But I'm always worried about accidentally saying the wrong thing or making a lighthearted comment that someone misinterprets in a business-related situation, so I tend to think through everything 10x before I say it - then over-analyze every conversation I had the next day.

It's been mentally exhausting. Now I finally don't have to worry about climbing the ladder, networking or politics. So I avoid almost all business-related events these days.

 

[kimblebee]

Must not cross state lines lol

IDK I hear it all the time. It's hard to explain what it sounds like if you've never heard it and many people aren't even aware they do it. I said it so much in my lifetime but never really caught onto it until one day I saw something and was like "ohhhh that's what I've been doing all these years".

It’s like saying the Greek opa! Without the a at the end lol

I don’t know where it was picked up but I’ve said it more than a few times. Usually when I almost run into someone or drop something lol

 

[cinnaminny]

I am an introvert who can easily chat with strangers. I would personally rather chat with strangers for a few minutes rather than spend more than a few minutes with actual acquaintances. Like at a party or something. Or the mothers of my sons schoolmates. That is really painful for me, especially afterwards. It takes me a long time to recover from spending real time with people I am not close to. Chatting for a bit with a stranger, is easy peasy in comparison. But I did grow in the restaurant industry and I also grew up in the Midwest. My husband says my politeness mixed with my welcoming face gets me in trouble. He says I am a magnet for people.(people that he does not want to talk to lol)

 

[cinnaminny]

Love this. That's how I feel about socializing with clients or at work related functions. I enjoy striking up conversations anywhere else because I'm relaxed. But I'm always worried about accidentally saying the wrong thing or making a lighthearted comment that someone misinterprets in a business-related situation, so I tend to think through everything 10x before I say it - then over-analyze every conversation I had the next day.

It's been mentally exhausting. Now I finally don't have to worry about climbing the ladder, networking or politics. So I avoid almost all business-related events these days.

I will analyze everything I say after a function like that. Its the absolute worst! Did I say too much? Did I say the wrong thing? WHY DID I TALK? lol

 

[ronandannette]

Or just lonely. Many people's families are far away or have passed away and the few moments they're in a store, on a bus or out somewhere, they just want to connect with another human voice.

I believe this is sadly all too true. You can tell almost right away when you casually encounter someone like that. I'm not super-patient and I'm practically always rushing from one place to the next. I kind of hate myself for wanting to get away and purposefully try to stay "in the moment" with the person. Another thing I've noticed is they often don't care what you say back to them - it's not really a conversation they're looking for. Just to be able to talk and have someone listen...

 

[Floridaman999]

My family sometimes just shakes their heads because I really don't know a stranger for the most part when we're all out and about. I love talking to people and hearing whatever they care to share. I've learned a great deal about people and have also made some really great friends in some cases.

 

[lovin'fl]

Love this. That's how I feel about socializing with clients or at work related functions. I enjoy striking up conversations anywhere else because I'm relaxed. But I'm always worried about accidentally saying the wrong thing or making a lighthearted comment that someone misinterprets in a business-related situation, so I tend to think through everything 10x before I say it - then over-analyze every conversation I had the next day.

It's been mentally exhausting. Now I finally don't have to worry about climbing the ladder, networking or politics. So I avoid almost all business-related events these days.

Yes. This. It's why I don't want to work. Ug and when DH has an event. Thanks goodness we were away for the recent one.