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Did you see this hilarious guide to small talk? I’m more of the analyze-everything-I-said-once-I’m-in-bed-afterward type of partygoer, but this still made me laugh out loud…
Q: “What time is it?”
Look at your watch. It’s 6:47. Do you say “quarter to 7”? Maybe. That’s probably safe. But then what if this person has somewhere to be at 7? Now your whole “quarter to 7” statement makes her think she has an extra two minutes to get there. Cut to 13 minutes from now and that person is late for her extremely important obligation. Say “6:48.” Yes. That’s good. Breathe.
Q: “Where do you work?”
Go to the bathroom. Now, now, now. This conversation has shifted dramatically, and you need to get out of there. Say something like, “Be right back,” or “Gotta go pee,” but don’t say it too loud, or too weird. Say it normal, for crying out loud. BE NORMAL.
Real the full guide here. Still laughing at the last one.
P.S. “What We’re Reading” features interesting articles — on all kinds of topics — that we find during the week. I know most of you are big readers. Hope you like it!
(Illustration by Leif Parsons for the NYTimes)
