Three ways to make small talk more meaningful

Small Talk

Small talk is everywhere. Like, everywhere. And if often involves our first interaction with a person — either a brand-new person, or our first interaction with a friend/acquaintance when we reconnect with them. The thing is, it typically doesn’t mean anything. It’s all… Continue Reading

Paraphrasing should be a part of your Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving and Paraphrasing

Here’s the deal: Thanksgiving can be an emotionally-misguided time. Drama emerges, things are said, etc, etc. We’ve all been there. (I honestly think it’s either that or small talk. There’s no middle ground.) Can it be avoided? Sure. You can… Continue Reading

A semi-definitive guide to Thanksgiving conversational opportunities and small talk

Let’s be pretty honest about this: in the next 36 hours or so, you will either be asked, be adjacent to someone being asked, or do the asking of this question: “So, how was the trip?” I find this more interesting now… Continue Reading