I was just thinking about the fact that I’m going to be missing my 30th high school reunion that is coming up in 2 weeks. (Who in the heck has a high school reunion around Thanksgiving, after the 5th reunion?) And it’s just as well. Functions like that are the place for small talk, glad handing, and yada, yada, yada. I’ve never been good at that. When I was young- basically until I was about 19- I was shy. Not just shy, but wallflower shy. I had one best friend, whom I played with just about every day. And when you play, it’s not small talk.
More recently, some of my cousins (who are 15+ years older than me) have taken to keeping up with me, calling every month or two. Sometimes, I think it’s a way to keep up with my Mom, without calling Mom at a bad time (when she’s in a mental hospital, or too depressed to visit). Of course, they’re interested in how I’m doing, as well. We trade information on what the kids are up to or I am asked what I’m up too. If I answer totally honestly, I tell them about the classes in various energy healing modalities I’ve been taking, talk a little bit about the work I’ve been doing on myself, and share with them that the ADHD medications we were hoping would help Little Man, had such bad side effects that one of them made him suicidal. But the energy work that’s been done on him seems to be the only thing that really helps him. Too much information?
Ok then. I’m taking a few workshops to enrich my life. And the husband and kid are fine.
I find that when I am in social situations, I am more comfortable visiting with a small group of people, where I can hunker down and have a decent conversation with one person at a time. No talking about the weather (unless it’s something worth talking about). And no chatting about politics or religion. When I ask a friend how they are doing and what they’ve been up to, I am sincerely interested and want to know.
Yesiree bob. I totally and completely suck at small talk.
Life Is A Journey... Not A Guided Tour 
My high school did our 25th the week of Thanksgiving too. That won’t happen again; hardly anyone could go. Thirtieth was summer 2011 and we all had a blast. Small talk isn’t for everyone! 😉
If the reunion weren’t across country, I would probably go. A high school reunion isn’t enough reason for me to fly cross country.
I’m with you … small groups are much less daunting than large ones – I tend to get overwhelmed in them and, like a sheepdog, cut a few from the herd and make my own island.
Bests to you
MJ
I actually don’t mind large groups. I just feel like small talk is a bit superfluous. I have trouble with the light, polite chit chat, and then eloquently moving on to the next person.
I found at my 30th this summer that we did talk about the things that you talk about with your cousins. I ended up finding that there were people who I knew but didn’t know well that I now have things in common with. I found it all very rewarding. I also found some who were very interested in the energy work and are starting down that path themselves. I hope you find that it is all very pleasant and enjoyable.
Karen, that is so cool that you found some people at your reunion who were interested in energy work. The day of my upcoming reunion, I will be here in the Pacific Northwest, doing a craft show. Looking forward to that!