Beware: There are small talk criminals lurking everywhere. The coffee shop, your kids’ school, the gym, the office, the dinner party. These brazen bullies strike quickly and without warning – and they don’t care who gets hurt. My ongoing series, Talk Tyrants, serves two purposes: it allows you the chance to escape […]
Ice breaker
How Much Is That Doggie In The Window? What To Do When Someone Barks Out Money Questions.
Dear Debra: What do you say when someone asks you how much something costs? The question makes me uncomfortable, but I find myself answering because I don’t know what else to do! Sincerely, Money Is Buying Me Unhappiness Dear Unhappiness: Why do so many people want others to show them the money? Why […]
Taming Flyaways – How to Small Talk Your Way into First Class
We’ve all done that walk past the first class passengers, and no matter how many times you do it, it still stings just a little, doesn’t it? Seeing the fluffy blankets and comfy chairs, hearing the sound of ice tinkling happily in glasses not made out of toxic plastic. . . it just makes […]
The Fragility of the Fired Friend – Debra Fine’s Advice
Dear Debra: A friend and colleague of mine was recently fired from her position at our company. It was an unexpected event and she is obviously upset. What should I say to her – especially since I am still working at the company? Sincerely, Where Did All The Good Times Go? Dear Where Did All […]
First Comes Love, Then Comes Small Talk: Debra Fine’s Wedding Series | Part 4
Do weddings make you cry? No, I don’t mean welling up when the bride walks down the aisle; I mean REAL tears, the kind that happen when you are nervous about attending a wedding for any number of reasons? Perhaps you are guest without a plus one, or maybe you recently called off your own engagement. Perhaps […]
First Comes Love, Then Comes Small Talk | Debra Fine’s Wedding Series: Part 2
There are rumblings that Jennifer Aniston’s nuptials are on hold; but I am guessing you’ve still got a few weddings to attend this summer. So I present the second installment of The Wedding Series. We started with the Bridal Shower and now we take the plunge into The Bachelor/Bachelorette Party. So you’ve sailed through the […]
