Whether you’re spending time with cherished family members or new friends, skipping small talk and diving into deeper topics can help strengthen your relationships. The Onion shares tips for having more meaningful conversations.
Bang a gavel every time someone says something trivial.
Put your phone away, unless you’re having a conversation with someone over the phone, in which case this is considered rude.
Always wear business casual attire to any conversation.
If they seem distracted, clap loudly in their face and yell “Focus!”
Try not to get too caught up by the fact that you’re talking to the boss while wearing a wire.
Each quarter, take the bottom-performing conversationalists and cut them from your friendship roster.
Learn how to pronounce “Hegel.”
Ease into more sensitive topics by lowering your megaphone’s volume to a seven or eight.
Pay attention to nonverbal cues. If the other person is crying, you’ve successfully avoided small talk.
