Small talk: Possibly the most uncomfortable situation we put ourselves through on a daily basis. Whether it is an awkward interaction between past friends or a literal interrogation by a stranger, everyone tries to avoid it. It just makes people uncomfortable and we end up saying things we don’t actually mean or feel. Here are seven awkward go-to phrases people say to break the silence and what actually crosses our minds.
1. Hey how are you?
Our Response: Oh hey, I am SO great!
*Actually I am over tired, haven’t eaten all day and I’m stressed out beyond belief but hey, I’m going to lie and say I’m great anyways.*
2. Oh my god I love that shirt!
Our Response: Oh stop it’s not even that cute, I love yours too!
* Actually I checked my email everyday for two weeks waiting for this very shirt to arrive in my mail box because it is the cutest thing I have ever seen in my entire life.*
3. Hey you look pretty today.
Our Response: Oh thanks so do you.
*Whoa back up. What do you mean by just today? So I am just average…mediocre looking…ugly the rest of the 364 days?*
4. What’s up?
Our Response: Oh hey!
*Wait they just asked me what I was doing/up to and my response was hi…awkward.*
5. Wow isn’t it so cold out!
Our Response: Yeah I know it’s freezing.
*Actually it’s so cold out it seems like Elsa’s having a meltdown and my fingers are starting to turn blue.*
6. Oh hey did you hear that rumor about…
Our Response: Oh yeah I heard that…
*To be honest I’ve never even heard their name before but I’ll say I heard it just so I don’t sound like I live under a rock.*
7. Hey how bout all that homework we got assigned?
Our Response: Oh it’s not that bad!
*JK…if I complied every homework assignment I have ever gotten since freshman year it would still be less than what we just got assigned but no that isn’t really that bad right?*