What is up with some people's (usually "professional") advice on small talk?
I'm going to give prospective students and parents tours on our campus. Of course it is essential that we are friendly towards them. Our director gave us some "pointers" on how to strike up good conversation. Some of them were: "I like that outfit! Where did you get it? How much did it cost?" "If you could be any animal, what animal would it be?" "I think the weather is very nice today. What do you think?"
This isn't the first time I've recieved lame advice on how to start small talk. I've been told to ask similar questions when I worked in the restaurant and in my fraternity workshops. I was yelled at all the time when I was a hostess for not asking people "How's the weather?" as they wait for their table. Maybe it is just me but if a stranger asks me those types of questions I would think they were a bonehead. Sorry, I think I will stick to making small talk about sports and current movies.
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