I am socially awkward (sp), but not because I am unobservant-- because I can just think of nothing to say. I am usually good at seeing the relationships between other people at a party, or sensing how they are feeling toward me. In high school, I was always sought after to give people opinions on whether or not someone was interested in them and/or what they should do in order to provoke that interest. Unfortunately, this skill is not so transferable to adult life. I tend to like to have a THING to get done to talk about-- so I like to help the hostess set things out at a party, or have a job where I am letting people know that cake will be served soon or something. Since I have worked in "customer service" so much, though, I am really good at talking to people with a counter between us-- I always can chat with customers or students, again, because of the built in subject. Although, beack in the high school days of working in a grocery store, I said the phrases "Hello, How are you today?", "Paper or Plastic?" and "Thank you, Have a great day!" so much, I would sometimes get mixed up and use them in the wrong plces, greating people with thank you, or saying "Paper or Plastic?" when working at the Service desk and meaning to say "Can I help you?"

in a work environment, I find it tiring

Elevator small talk is the worst. I mean, I get it - our building has really slow elevators. But after working here for almost 3 years, I am unbelievably tired of talking about it. It's just not that interesting.

our building has really slow elevators.

Like, how slow, exactly?

t thwap!

Elevators are not for talking in! Elevators are for staring at the numbers. Like Steven Wright's grandfather trained him.

Elevators are not for talking in! Elevators are for staring at the numbers. Like Steven Wright's grandfather trained him.

My elevator provides me with news updates, random factoids and word-power vocabulary improvement.

Are they Otis elevators? A friend's father writes software for Otis Elevators.

Hmmm. OK, then maybe small talk isn't my problem so much as the transitioning into actual topics and sustaining that kind of conversation when you don't really know someone (or an entire room full of someones). Eh. It depends on the person. I think that's the bottom line for me, and that's probably not unusual. Some people you click with, some not so much. Or, like Xander, I like the quiet.

I have a tendency to strike up conversations with people in line and other times so I guess I like small talk. Although sometimes I realize I say the wrong thing, so I'm probably not *good* at small talk.

This afternoon I had a follow up appointment with the endocrinologist about my ultrasound and a monthly update since the last meeting.

The ultrasound was okay, no worry about bad cysts on my ovaries. My cholesteral levels were good, not great but not high.

I've only lost 4 lbs, which is frustrating, but I've been forgetting to take my morning dose of meds, so the doctor changed me to an extended release so I can take the same dose, but all at one time. I'm sure it's not available as generic so I'll stay with the generic for a bit before I switch over. I see her in 4 months. She said again she wants me walking 5 times a week.

Tep, did you know that the NY Times has an online feature called "The Lede: Notes on the News"?

Whenever I see "lede" I think of you and your old-school journalism schooling.

Heh. The cool kids know that old school is the way to go.

In re: small talk -- I recognize its utility, and I recognize the situations in which it's appropriate/required, and I know how to do it.

I just loathe it because I don't, actually, give a good goddamn about someone's kid's school play.

Which is why, as I said earlier, I'm not an Aspie; I'm a dick. A curmudgeon, if you will. I know this, and I'm good with it. I'm quite happy in my curmudgeon-ness.