Aspies and Small Talk: Ellen’s Monologue and Bernardo Carducci’s Guide.
I wish I could make small talk, an Aspie recently confided to me.
Whether we’re visiting family, in a workplace or out with friends, small talk can feel like treacherous ground for an Aspie. In my book, Unforgiving, Memoir of an Asperger Teen, I show how impossible it was for me as a teen to make small talk with girls my age.
Nowadays there’s an excellent resource book, Dr. Bernardo Carducci’s Pocket Guide_To Making Successful Small Talk.
And the subtitle is encouraging, too: How to Talk to Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere About Anything.
Some tidbits? Be nice but not brilliant. You’re not trying to wow people, just converse politely.
Practice your very brief introduction speech. Hi, I’m George and I haven’t met you yet.
Join in the conversation with a brief remark on the current topic. If there is no topic, you are initiating conversation, current events are good.
Rather than just abruptly leaving the conversation, part with There’s someone I must speak with, please excuse me. Or, I must go, but it’s been really nice meeting you.
Margaret Jean