Small Talk

prevent pregnant pauses with preparation . 97
Speak No Evil
6. Health (yours or theirs). The exception is when
you’re talking with a person who has an obvious
new cast, crutches, or bandage. In that situation,
the apparent temporary medical apparatus is free
information. If you skirt the issue, it’s a bit like
having an elephant in your living room and
ignoring it.
While there is an infinite list of acceptable conversation
topics at public venues, there is also a short list of
subjects that are generally off limits. If you are unsure
about a subject’s appropriateness and hesitate before
bringing it up, it’s probably better left unspoken. When
unsure, I always invoke the old math axiom my algebra
teacher taught me: When in doubt, leave it out. Avoid any
area that is likely to offend your conversation partner.
PLAYING FOURSQUARE
Keeping a conversation rolling is not unlike the old
playground game of foursquare. You must pass the ball