You may be thinking, What if the news of my day is mundane? Nothing interesting happened… is happening… or will happen. Don’t fret about that. Just deliver any humdrum news in an upbeat, I’m-thrilled-to-tell-you voice. After the predictable “How are you,” you could declare with energetic mock exasperation, “Fine, but I’ve been traipsing all over town looking for a new briefcase, and I hate to shop.” (Comment.) “Don’t you?” (Question.)
Perhaps his response is that his brother-in-law just gave him a briefcase for his birthday. It’s a snore, of course. But smile and respond like it’s electrifying news. Ask him where his brother-in-law lives. Pretend that you’re fascinated that he’s from Podunkie. Ask what Podunkie is like. (Before you realize it, you’re playing a good hand of small talk, the game that many Shys fear most.)