"How are you?"

"Oh, fine - and you?"

"Yeah, not bad. Nice day today, isn't it?"

"Yes, it was a bit chilly this morning, but now the sun's come out..." [Continue until the lift arrives, or until the end of time.]

Small talk is usually not conveying much vital information, nor is it especially interesting. But beneath that comfort blanket of tedium lies a valuable social function. I became the bore at a party and made a load of people talk to me about it.

EXTRA STUFF TO CHAT ABOUT:

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MAILCHIMP'S RANDOMLY SELECTED WORD FROM THE DICTIONARY:

pronk