You’re standing in line at the supermarket or drugstore when a stranger speaks up. “Hello, how are you?” the stranger greets you. “Good, and you?” might be your response. Your conversation partner ...

These "reductive" questions can instantly make a conversation feel heavy, etiquette expert Alison Cheperdak says.

Small talk has its uses, especially in the business world. It can help us suss each other out, establish a basic level of trust, or just fill the time while we’re waiting in line. But let’s be honest, ...

This article follows the Direct Message methodology, designed to cut through the noise and reveal the deeper truths behind the stories we live. Mastering the art of small talk isn’t about just ...

ATLANTA — You're standing in line at the supermarket or drugstore when a stranger speaks up. "Hello, how are you?" the stranger greets you. "Good, and you?" might be your response. Your conversation ...

I know I’m not alone in disliking small talk. Yes, I have a history of social anxiety. I mean, I once hid behind Tim Gunn’s grandfather clock to avoid small talk at a fundraiser at his apartment.

Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. Sign up for CNN’s Life, But Better newsletter for information and tools designed to improve your well-being. You’re standing in line at ...