How challenging is small talk for you?

I think people might describe me as being well-mannered. Though I try to be, it's not the flattering opinion it might seem but, instead, testament to my restricted behaviour in company - I have to follow conversational conventions, and politeness is such a convention. 

If someone asks "How are you?", then I can answer briefly or (far too) extensively; both might be viewed as autistic habits. None of this means I'm at ease in conversations, as cues and subtleties don't always make their presences felt. Most importantly, I have to remind myself to ask "And how are you?" in return; not because I don't care but because *making the conversational transition is a hard, slow process for me and doesn't spring to my mind immediately*. And all the while I'm conscious that mine is a limited life, one which limits fluent and interesting conversation. 

How difficult or easy do you find small talk and general conversation?

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  • I will talk to anyone. But ihow i find small talk really depends on the situation, if it's with people I know or strangers and if I am doing something while the small talk is happening and how stressed or fatigued I feel. I find it easier with strangers because it's not going to go anywhere. I find it relatively easy at work but there's still an element of "working it all out". It's hard when I'm trying to do a task at the same time. I find converting small talk into something more meaningful (like with people I see more regularly in order to become more acquainted) quite difficult. My friend is very good at working this sort of magic and is on chatting terms with people in shops just because she sees them regularly. I've no idea how she managed this.

  • This is very familiar.  I enjoy talking to strangers as I don't feel any pressure.  I don't really have the social skills to 'convert it' as you put it.  Most of the people who have at one point been friends have been quite confident and chatty people who go out of their way to be friendly.

  • I enjoy talking to strangers as I don't feel any pressure.

    Excellent point - and I like the variety this gives me.

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