Small talk. 

The thing we do as a society to be polite, but the thing most people hate. The awkward elevator conversations about the “weather we’ve been having” or small chats in your local coffee shop’s busy line – “sure is busy today, right?”. So simple, a bit unnecessary, but kinda sweet?

So why do we do it? I mean I guess there’s an art in sparking up a conversation with a stranger, I mean you never know where it will take you. Maybe this random person could be the perfect candidate to date your sister. Or maybe this stranger will one day become your boss. Whatever it may be, we all engage in small talk from time to time but whether you like it or not, is up for you to decide. 

I honestly love it, I want to talk to a stranger. Everyone has their own unique perspective and stories so why not hear it? My job practically revolves around small talk. I’m a server and when I’m on the clock I can’t even count how many groups of people I talk to. Every conversation is so different, sometimes it’s something I completely disagree with and the conversation kinda goes in one ear then out the other, but sometimes it’s awesome. I can learn new things, make connections, sometimes I even feel like a therapist for people.

Last summer I served an older man all alone who didn’t seem up for small chat, but still to be kind, when I brought his food over I asked him how his day was going and if I could bring him anything else over. He went from being quiet to having a full 30 minute conversation with me. He let me know that his wife had passed and he was having a hard time. He left the restaurant and I realized that who knows if he had anyone else to talk to. And it brought me back to you never know what someone is going through. Everyone has something going on in their life that you may have no clue about and just asking something as simple as how their day is going and change their day for the better.

So next time you run into a moment where small talk is inevitable go that extra mile to ask the person how they are. You never know the last time they were asked that and it could really make a positive influence on their day. They say it’s all about the little things in life and a little chat truly can go a long way.