I don't like small talk
Idle chatter is not something I am terribly skilled at, and nor am I particularly interested in advancing this skill.
Small talk is a skill best left to people who enjoy the banter and play of unsubstantial dialog.
I, for one, will have
- logistical conversations - I'll see you at X at time Y
- decision making conversations - Yes, we will do this, no, we won't buy that
- substantial conversations - discussions concerning politics, religion, prognostication, climate change or civilization descent
- educational conversations - I will ask questions to gain information, or I will answer questions to provide information
I do not think I am alone in this lack of interest in small talk.
At parties I will generally have one-on-one conversations with various people to ask them specific topical questions to move a conversation into a meaningful connection. If, however, I see by body language and tone of voice of the person with whom I am speaking that they are more prone to idle chatter and are not interesting in having a conversation of greater substance, I back off. It serves no purpose to plunge forward in such circumstances.
I would write more in this hub but I believe I have made my point. Anything more would be superfluous.