I try not to eavesdrop. Really. But my business in small talk and catching tidbits from other’s conversations could be considered research for my next book. Right? Right.
Sitting at Elway’s at the Ritz-Carlton on a postcard-worthy Denver evening, I couldn’t help but tune into the exchange taking place between four women. I was waiting for a friend to return from the ladies room and my only other option was to polish off the tuna takaki or scroll through my phone. So.
I remind you, I have been doing this small talk gig for a long, long time and I must say that this was one of the kindest, funniest comebacks I have ever heard:
……………………………………………………………………….
40-something-age woman #1 commiserating with the other women on how tough high school is for her teenage daughters:
I went to school with this jacka@$$ named John (Side note: I will leave out John’s name to protect him … and his confidence level) who was hell-bent on making my life torture, and for no apparent reason. I hated him.
40-something-age woman #2:
I’ve been married to that guy for 27 years.
(Side note: 40-something-age woman #3 and #4 are sitting in stunned silence.)
40-something-age woman #1:
Oh God, I’m sorry. I had no idea you were married to him.
40-something-age woman #2:
Don’t be. You’re right. And by the way, he’s bald now.
And that, my friends, is small talk at its best.
