Small Talk

Let's have a conversation about Small Talk :-)

Here are a few questions we will consider during this evening:

• What is small talk?
• What is your own appreciation of small talk? How do you like it?
• In which situations is small talk desirable? unavoidable? How do you navigate it?
• Does deep talk necessarily include some emotional vulnerability? or intellectual depth? Both?
• Are the people rejecting small talk intellectual snobs or even lacking social skills for small talk?

🌮 Food for thought

You can read this essay in preparation for some inspiration: small talk vs deep talk.

Definitions & quotes:

• "small talk is a bonding ritual and a strategy for managing interpersonal distance. It serves many functions in helping to define the relationships between friends, colleagues, and new acquaintances. In particular, it helps new acquaintances to explore and categorize each other's social position." Wikipedia
• "small minds discuss people, average minds discuss events; Great minds discuss ideas" - Eleanor Roosevelt

If you've never participated before, here's what to expect:

• 2 hours of deep, interesting conversations in a respectful environment that will elevate your spirit and give you new ideas for life, work or relationships
• a supportive group of people sharing their own unique experiences and viewpoints, and encouraging you to do the same
• a rich mix of newcomers and regulars from different countries and cultures for a broad diversity of opinions and experiences

Please remember the existing rules of this group:

• DO listen respectfully. DON'T interrupt others.
• DO show up with a learning mindset. DON'T try to win an argument.
• DO show curiosity towards other people experiences and ideas. DON'T project judgement and blame.
• DO make yourself fully present. DON'T pull out your phone during the conversation.

🚫 No-show policy

As the group size is small, no-shows have a strong negative impact on the group. As such, the policy is that as a general rule, no-shows and same-day cancellations will not be able to sign up for future events. To avoid this:

• Only reserve a spot if you really intend to come.
• If your plans have changed, cancel at least 24 hours before the event, to give people on the waiting list a chance to change their own plans and make it to the event.
• If you have a real last-minute emergency and need to cancel in the last 24 hours, please contact me directly to avoid "no-show" status.