<p>I was wondering if anyone else was like this...</p>
<p>I am a normal person, I have no problems talking and interacting with people, I'm not really awkward or socially inept or anything. </p>
<p>But I just don't really enjoy talking to people....though I love being in the company of others, I don't actually enjoy the talking part.</p>
<p>Whenever I'm chatting with someone I just recently met, and it's just the arbitrary ******** (talk about classes, tests, weather) I am thinking to myself "okay, we both know this is just to fill the awkward silence void and to try and seem nice and friendly to each other, can we just stop?". </p>
<p>Then I'll be walking somewhere with one of my close friends (who cannot stop talking) and I'm just like "yea....uh huh......yup.....mhm.....yea" and I just get so tired of listening to him and responding with my own words.</p>
<p>I just don't really believe in 'friendly chit chat' and just arbitrary nonsense. When I talk I want it to actually be with friends about interesting stuff.</p>
<p>sometimes talking is a formality that ends up being a chore, but its polite and people will like you if you at least listen. try to come up with interesting responses. conversing can be improved through practice and will end up being a very useful skill</p>
<p>Yup right there with you. Introvert to the core. Most conversation is just waiting for the other person to get done with their story so you can tell yours anyway. I wish it could be socially acceptable to be with other people and not have to talk.</p>
<p>I’m definitely more of a “listener” than a “talker” because I’ve also been that way. You know how certain people love the sound of their own voice? I’m the exact opposite. I just like listening, it’s funny how many people think I’m like “painfully shy and quiet” because I’m not at all. I would always get docked on participation points in high school because I’d just take in what other people were saying and be writing down things that caught my attention. I didn’t have time to come up with something to add just for the sake of points. So yeah, I say a lot more through my body language than I do through my words. It just takes the right person to pick up on that.</p>
<p>Jim - you’re like me, small talk is a valuable opportunity wasted. I would advise learning a few obscure dirty jokes; it worked for my stepfather, it can work for you too.</p>
<p>Yes. It’s quite common for introverts to dislike small talk (e.g. “arbitrary nonsense”).</p>
<p>On a side note, I have noticed that confident people who are indeed introverts are often reluctant to call themselves such, probably because of the social stigma attached to the word “introvert” – which is only such a socially unaccepted word because almost everyone defines it incorrectly. Introversion is not synonymous with shyness or social awkwardness (although they do co-exist sometimes). “Introvert” literally just means one who is turned inward (as opposed to extrovert).</p>
<p>I got that way as I got older. I used to be fairly social; wanted to party and hang out with people in my teens. Now I’m 22 and I hate hanging around most people, don’t see the point in socializing, etc. I usually only socialize nowadays if I have no choice or if it will somehow lead to meeting women.</p>
<p>I was always introverted (but not shy in the slightest), but I liked social outings for the experiences (eg. going to a party - not the socializing itself). But there aren’t any new experiences anymore.</p>
<p>I understand your point, I used to feel the same way. Somehow, though, (and don’t ask me how) I have gotten used to those “chit-chats” to the point of actually enjoying them. But, like I said, I completely understand your point: I bet most people feel like you and are thinking the same things during those conversations.</p>
<p>I don’t like small talk. I like real, meaningful conversations. We have so little time on earth and shouldn’t be wasting our time talking about new jersey house wifes.</p>