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I Suck at Small Talk

March 20, 2008 3:15 PM

think that I'm generally a well-spoken and articulate person. And I think I can be funny and, every now and then, charming. I also realize, though, that these qualities tend to manifest themselves over time rather than during first impressions. For some reason, I often get flustered or something when having meaningless, casual conversations--small talk--with people I don't know. Or, fuck, even with people I do know.

For example, I was at the DA's office today picking up some discovery in one of my cases. The secretary there was really nice, and I handed her something I told the DA I'd drop off for her and asked the secretary to make a copy for the DA. She did, and then she was going to leave a note for the DA telling her I had dropped this thing off so that she'd know what the hell it was. Anyway, this conversation happened:

Me: Oh, and could you please make a copy of this and make sure [DA] gets it, please?
Secretary: Sure. What was your name again?
Me: Huh?
Secretary: What's your name, so that I can leave [DA] a note.
Me: Oh, it's Ismael Tapia II--sorry, this cold I've got has been messing with my senses all day.
Secretary: Oh, I understand--I'm old and that messes with my senses all the time!
What I almost said: Well, thank god I don't have that!

I didn't say it. I think I just sort of smiled, which was awkward enough. But I almost said it.

So, yeah, I suck at small talk.


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