2007-05-10 21:23:56 · 8 answers · asked by Nick B 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
And here I thought 'net chat, Y!A, etc. was the mode (sigh.)
2007-05-10 21:26:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without family or community connections, what is there to talk about.
The USA and most of Canada is basically a community of strangers.
The reality is that the vast majority of people are isolated to a degree that would have been unimaginable 35 years ago. Outside of work most people just have very very little in common. "Nobody knows their neighbour," is not just a complaint. It is a fact of life.
People have no association with the people they buy from, or sell to. They have no need of each other for support or safety.
They have no reason to trust each other, and no experience to develope any such trust. Meaningful conversations are not possible without trust. Trust is not possible with strangers.
2007-05-11 04:36:55 · answer #2 · answered by U-98 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because most people are almost totally unprepared to defend what they believe about politics and religion. In fact most of them not only can't defend it, they can't even explain it. Their "education" in these areas consists of (A) the belief that they were BORN a Methodist or a Republican or whatever and (B) a conditioned response that certain things are good or bad. So when their opinions are challenged the only response they are capable of is anger. They hate being forced to try and think. And they hate having it pointed out to them what a flimsy platform they've built they're life on.
So they end up talking about crap like the weather.
2007-05-11 05:11:15 · answer #3 · answered by frugernity 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't know about anyone else in the U.S., but for me it's becuase I don't often have much to say about any one subject, so small talk is generally the most convenient way for me to cary on a conversation.
2007-05-11 04:27:49 · answer #4 · answered by Rynok 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the great art of conversation is not in line with the popular trends and is not compatible with our digital, impersonal self. Conversation is dying a slow death and I fear it may be lost forever.
2007-05-11 04:27:50 · answer #5 · answered by I'm Not Lost 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe I don't want to hear you life story when I'm eating my lunch and have a half hour or less, and your life story takes 2 plus hours.
2007-05-11 04:30:55 · answer #6 · answered by allahdevil1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
everything has to PC and everything can be misconstrued as a threat or personal attack! we have to shut up more every day , that whole freedom of speech thing is flying out the window!
2007-05-11 04:37:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is just a manner of speaking. Like "no talk no mistake" less talk less mistake"
jtm
2007-05-11 04:30:15 · answer #8 · answered by Jesus M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋