It seems that the more brilliant and educated people are, the more they detest small talk. It’s understandable. With so many deeper things to discuss, why waste brilliant breath with comments about the weather or asking others, “How are you?” (You know they really don’t care.)
What you may not realize is that small talk has a vital role in communicating. It serves as an overture to more meaningful dialogue. It establishes a sense of “togetherness.” Think of small talk like music, cats purring, children humming, or groups chanting. It gives you time to get a sense of the people you’re talking to—their mood, their personality. It gives you clues in what direction to take the conversation.
But here’s what most people forget. In all good music, it is the melody, not the lyrics that count.