What is the point of small talk when you know the other people don't care?)
Daniel Tay), I know about Human Behavior because I behave like a human
When I was in my 20s, a priest greeted me, “How are you?”)
I proceeded to tell him how I was. After a couple of minutes, while I was still answering his question, he turned and walked away while I was still speaking.)
“How rude,” I thought to myself.)
It was only later that I learnt that the correct response to his question is, “I’m fine. And you?”)
The question, “How are you?” and its response is a social ritual. The person isn't asking how you really are. It's like “Hello”.)
Small talk is a social ritual. It helps the other person to feel more comfortable around you. It's not the meaning of the words that matter, but the process of what's actually going on.)
