Published on 12, July, 2020
I hate small talk. I hate that I can't grasp it. I hate how people randomly foist it on me. What's up with that!? I've been online shopping since Covid19 started but I decided to get out and give a small shop ago. It went ok. I was anxious but I coped and then came the till...... the woman started talking to me like we were good friends.... said about the weather, Christmas, even her cat Boris! I feel drained now. I feel an idiot for being unable to participate in her small talk. All I said was yes, no... mmm... Small talk, one of life's little mysteries.
If I'm in the right frame of mind I can tolerate small talk, provided it doesn't last too long. It's been YEARS since I last visited a hairdressing salon because I do not find it to be a relaxing experience. I would maybe visit no more than once or twice a year. It was the amount of small talk that made it such an unenjoyable experience... "Doing anything nice for Christmas?" "Going anywhere nice on holiday?" AGHHH!
My wife started cutting my hair during the Covid lockdown and it was such a relief not to have talk to a barber so she still does it.
Some years ago I 'braved the shave' for Macmillan Cancer Support, which I found to be quite a liberating experience. This resulted in me ordering a set of hair clippers so that I could then take care of my own hair (with assistance from my son). No more feeling like I'm being held hostage at a salon, and forced into listening to and making small talk. Yay!
If your wife is willing to continue cutting your hair, then it's a win for you.