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A comment on How to talk to anyone – and why you should (The Guardian). Parent comment

Re:How to talk to anyone – and why you should (The Guardian) by johnnyanmac on Sunday March 01, 2026 @08:56PM (#47212956)
Yeah, that's issue #2 or 3 with me. My life has pretty much been minmaxed to be the stereotypical nerd. I don't have much "small talk" topics to approach with.

I want to change that too, but that involves time for hobbies instead of job searching and worrying about debt.

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Re:How to talk to anyone – and why you should (The Guardian) by randcraw on Monday March 02, 2026 @01:23PM (#47221903)
I abhor small talk. It's physically painful. I've heard that's often true of some cultures, especially northern europeans.

I think the trick to converse on a more engaging level is to introduce conversation that invites deeper thought. Somehow you need to intrigue the other person. Compel them through curiosity to leave their comfort zone and join you where you'd prefer to be.

IMO, even disagreement can be agreeable if it's not confrontational, if you genuinely express curiosity to learn what they think, what they care about.

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