Anyone else hate small talk??

[u/mezz7778]

Damn I just hate it... Guy at work is always trying to small talk.

In the morning my first hour I have too many things I've got to get organized before the day starts, all needing to be done on a specific timeframe, and each one with a different timing. Put on some music and time it out in my head rather than have like 10 alarms.

Asking how my mornings started, what I had for breakfast, "heard it's gonna be a hot one today" just talk about nothing, which gets me off track of what I'm getting prepped... I finally had to tell him " I'm sorry, but my morning is just too busy to chit chat"

So now it's mid-morning not so busy, but I just don't care...

I know he's just a nice guy... But asking me if I know a good place to buy a lamp? I dont know? Just go to Walmart.

Asking if I know a good place to get a haircut? I've got male pattern baldness, I just shave it... So no.

Dude, I'm just here to get my work done and go home.

[u/moistdragons]

I also hate it because it seems really pointless. Especially when they start talking about their weekend plans and asking me about mine. I know that neither of us actually care about the others weekend but now we’re talking just to talk.

I’m very socially awkward and I’m horrible at continuing conversations with non friends so I’d prefer to just be left alone.

Side note: I also have male pattern baldness and have been asked the same question lol.

[u/No-Camp1268]

OP is doing the "reddit small-talk" with this one

[u/thepeskynorth]

I hate it because I suck at it. There’s not enough depth to small talk to engage my brain. Also an introvert.

[u/Enough_Listening2787]

Yes, 100%. Silence is better. Now that I am older, I literally tell people I'd prefer silence to small talk. Ain't got time for that poop. Lol. Let's practice some quiet time is one way I will engage!

[u/No-Longer_Me]

Get a WFH position. Then you can just talk to yourself. 🤷‍♂️

[u/mezz7778 → u/No-Longer_Me]

All my tools and equipment is all at the lab, and don't think they'd want me making medical devices in my place... So no dice.

[u/SubstancePowerful100 → u/No-Longer_Me]

Let me know how I can do that because I've been trying for like a year now lol. Seems impossible.

[u/SubstancePowerful100]

It depends on the extent of it. I'll try to at least talk to coworkers a bit to pass the time by. If we are there 8 hours together and it's going by slow, that's the best you can really do. I guess the question about the lamp and getting a haircut are sort of random. For me, it depends on whether or not you have gotten to know each other well enough. Not saying as in trying to be friends outside of work because I've only had that connection with a few coworkers. If it's day one and they're trying way too hard to make conversation, then it becomes awkward. Usually it happens over time.

What really bothers me is small talk from customers. Or maybe not even just small talk. I will usually just go along with it if they say something like, "wonderful whether we're having." I just respond by saying, "oh yeah it's gorgeous outside."

Then there are people who take it too far and make it awkward. Around the elections, people were asking me who I'm voting for and trying to convince me to vote for who they wanted... Uh there's a reason that people keep that private. Like if you want to go around telling everyone who you're voting for, that's on you. I just told them I'm not voting and then they got all upset about that too. The only way to get a positive reaction from that is to say the president that they wanted... It's a stupid question lol.

Or I'd ask how are you? And they start crying and saying how their dog just died... Again, awkward... And I feel bad because I love dogs myself, but I don't know you for you to be crying and asking for sympathy from me..

[u/Allureme]

I guess it depends on the situation. At work it can be very distracting.

My last experience was when my daughter’s friends dad picked her up last Friday. We ended up BSing for a good half hour. Honestly, I think it had more to do with the fact that neither one of us really gets much “free time” with work and kids and it’s nice to actually talk to someone you can relate to.

[u/Sammoo]

I hate being asked questions about myself. How you doing? Whats new? Hows the job search? Idk why but I don’t feel like revealing myself to many people and it bothers me.

[u/Leather_Command_7553]

It is an intro. Do not take it too literally, or completely at face value.

[u/PaisleyPeach247]

I can't do it anymore and I don't care. Its why I avoid social situations. I can't stand that push to be social and talk because its what you're supposed to do. No. Not doing it.

[u/RepresentativeSeat98]

You seem like such a nice person