When was the last time you made small-talk with a stranger in your age group?

[Brawndo]

I'm a 23 year-old college student, and everywhere I go students are buried in their phones and iPods. I was on a crowded campus bus the other day and it was completely silent... people were either texting, pretending to text, or otherwise avoiding eye contact. Girls are especially guilty of this (probably because they automatically assume you're trying to pick them up), but so are guys.

In large lecture classes, it's rarely different. People who know someone sit with their friends and ignore everyone else, while others spread out as much as possible and busy themselves with their phone or laptop. I've tried introducing myself to a couple of different guys and girls so I have someone to contact if I miss class, but all I get is one-word answers and blank looks. It's so annoying having to carry on a one-sided conversation, which quickly becomes awkward.

Seriously, this generation is messed up. Sure, you meet exceptions, but most people are lost in their technology, talking to the same small social clique over and over, and they need alcohol to get over their inhibitions to talk to people. It's pathetic and frustrating

 

[Lord Beautiful]

I don't recall. Small talk is something with which I have an extreme amount of trouble.

 

[Berethond]

It happens to me all the time. I have a lot of self-confidence, so I attract strangers pretty often.

 

[unoleian]

Just a couple nights ago. Chatting some cuties up at the bar after I gave up my seat for them and stole my buddy's

And then had a little small talk with one of their boyfriends about the finer points of relationships, and found myself a new bar.

Or, if you don't want to involve alcohol, then I was chatting with a younger cashier at the gas station tonight, for a few minutes after grabbing a pack of gum.

No one wants to talk to anyone on the bus. Busses suck. But bus stops? Great place to shoot a small breeze.

But, no, really, how many times have you actually tried to say "what's up?" to someone and strike up a conversation? Cuz, really, it's quite easy.

addendum- especially in college. Especially at the start of the year. That's like, the best time ever to just walk up to/sit down with random people and just say......anything.

 

[ReincarnatedFTP]

Initiated it?
Probably never, I despise small talk.
You wanna figure out something, get to the point and ask the question.
If you ask me "What's up?" you'll always get a "not much" in return.
If you ask me a specific question, I'll answer it.

 

[AMMO Kid]

All the time. I'm like a question machine. They have to ask me to leave for me to stop talking to them.

 

[Kpt._Rob]

Yesterday. I'm a college student myself. I have a huge break between my first and second classes of the day, so I go sit at a table at the lunch area. As it gets busy and the tables fill up people I don't know end up sitting down with me, and I always try to talk to them. A few of them, like you said, are burried in whatever they're doing, and have no interest in talking, but I've actually had some really good conversations with people. Since it's like you said, and peoeple don't talk a lot, when you talk with them a lot of people are surprisingly ready to open up and have a conversation with you.

 

[Aur0ra145]

I'm a 23 year-old college student, and everywhere I go students are buried in their phones and iPods. I was on a crowded campus bus the other day and it was completely silent... people were either texting, pretending to text, or otherwise avoiding eye contact. Girls are especially guilty of this (probably because they automatically assume you're trying to pick them up), but so are guys.

Very true, I'm in college also, but I did carry on some conversations with strangers today while waiting for some of my classes to start.

 

[Xojins]

That's the problem with individual technologies; iPods, cell phones, laptops, etc. allow us to isolate ourselves into our own little world that we can make our own reality(in a way). We don't talk to strangers because they don't fit into our realities, in some cases. Or maybe I'm just crazy.

 

[Brawndo]

But, no, really, how many times have you actually tried to say "what's up?" to someone and strike up a conversation? Cuz, really, it's quite easy.

Oh I agree, it's easy to start one. It's just frustrating when I don't get much of a reply, along with the vibe of "leave me the fuk alone". This doesn't always happen, but it happens enough that it annoys me. Keep in mind I'm not some creepy looking dude, it's just that sometimes I'd rather shoot the shit instead of going through my cell phone inbox deleting old messages

 

[Julianking93]

Never.

I don't like the people in my age group in this town.

They really can all just go to hell.

Besides, I suck at small talk and it would just end awkwardly.

 

[the protaginist]

Around three weeks ago, on vacation I was chatted up by a girl from Ipswich because I was wearing my England soccer jersey out and about. It was a little strange for me that someone would start a conversation over such a small thing but I had a fun time talking to her.

 

[Sleekgiant]

Never, I'm socially inept and way to narcissistic to hold a conversation with someone where I live.

 

[The Procrastinated End]

With the same age group its been a long time, but I do talk with older people a lot more.

 

[Sjakie]

I don't recall. Small talk is something with which I have an extreme amount of trouble.

Same here. Besides the fact that i have trouble with it, i find small talk about the standard things annoying.

I dont bury myself in my phone though, i rather just look around and ignore people.

Alone in a crowd and such...

 

[Zirat]

Everyone withing a 10 mile radius of me is the sterotypical white-trash farmer's so it's been awhile.

But I would hazard a guess of... 3 months ago

 

[Picosaurus]

Last time was last night when I was doing laundry, I often end up talking to people who I think were my age then turn out to be a little bit older. Weird if u ask me.

 

[Sacman]

last week at the bus stop a girl asked me why I wasn't wearing any shoes...