Because of my increasing introversion and shyness (and general mental sluggishness) I often find it difficult to make conversation with other people — strangers, in particular. According to this article, How To Be A Great Conversationalist, I’m on the right track because at least I’m not an interrogator or a braggart. Sometimes I worry about wasting someone else’s time with small talk. Other times I just don’t get the words out.
For example, here was a conversation I had awhile back at my daughter’s preschool. I was taking my daughter out of the car in the parking lot and we were just heading over to her classroom. Another parent was driving by, stopped and said out the window:
Person: Go Blue!
Me: ?
Person: I saw your Michigan plates the other day — we’re from Michigan too! (smiling)
Me: Oh. That’s nice! (grin)
In my mind, I was thinking, “Both my brother and sister are Wolverines! Hail to the Victors!” and I was all set to make the Michigan map on my right hand and ask where they were from. But, somehow, the words just floated away. I find this happening with greater frequency.
Should I worry, or should I just Wiki it?
headsparks* 
i find conversations with the preschool parental unit crowd especially difficult. whenever i’m dropping off or picking up, i’m usually the only dad there.
Rich — I know what you mean. I immediately made friends with the one other dad who is usually there. But, even then, he’s like ten years older than we are. I think I’ll start carrying around small talk flash cards on a keyring (like when we were learning Greek & Hebrew) so that I’m ready :)
I’m one of the rare dads at my elementary school pickup/dropoffs too, and I too find small talk challenging. But, I can do heart-to-heart convs with ease, which is usually unusual.
And, I’m okay with talking to women and men, so not so gender sensitive in a crowd.
DJ — I think you do have that rare gift of being able to enter into and listen to someone’s life. It’s funny how we often to ask, “No, how are you *really*?” when we’re talking to a friend because we’re so used to small-talk.
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My wife and I were talking yesterday about dads not wanting to go on class field trips because they’re worried they might be the only dad there. It’s nice to hear that you’re comfortable with both women and men — being able to engage the families of our kids is so important.