Sometimes it’s difficult to figure out what to say
Without giving your inner thoughts away
And when you do that inadvertently you do not know
How the other person thinks, whether you’ve made a friend or a foe
Everyone has sharply polarized views
Topics of discussion you carefully have to choose
Even traditionally “safe” areas for small talk no longer seem to be
Innocuous for discussion, feathers can be ruffled easily
Discussion about weather, for instance, can escalate
To heated discussions about change in climate
Discussion of health issues may invariably
Veer into highly contested territory
Reproductive rights, mental health, pandemic- all are
Some of the most provocative topics by far
Politics, religion and war are issues completely off-limit
So you don’t really know what topics under small talk fit..
*
So you stick on a forced plastic smile
Open your mouth only to compliment people, for a while
You meet new people but the conversation seems to stay
Superficial, you do not connect with people this way..
The list of taboo topics appears to grow
At the end of each gathering to which you go…
Passion...unbridled 
I have never been good at making small talk, and now the talk has gotten even smaller. I just smile and nod…
LikeLike
I go to a group meeting once a week called Taboo Topics. It’s very refreshing. But in general, with controversial stuff, I feel it out. Even if we disagree, I can learn from the conversation. Or steer away from it. I think people are too cautious. If someone thinks I’m wacky, it’s not the apocalypse. And at least now they have something to tell their friends about.
LikeLiked by 1 person