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 […]
The Fine Art of the Big Talk
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 […]
Call Me. Maybe? R U Wrong to Return a VM w a TXT?
Dear Debra: Whenever I call and leave a message for a friend of mine, she either texts or emails her response. Why? Is it appropriate to respond to a voice message with text or email? I am bothered by this, but wondering if I am being a bit too picky. Any insight? Sincerely, Not […]
Small Talk is Never Dead | Hilarious Obituaries
Talk about getting the last word. Longtime Browns fan Scott Entsminger, 55, of Ohio, died on July 4. According to his obituary in the Columbus Dispatch, Entsminger “respectfully requests six Cleveland Browns pall bearers so the Browns can let him down one last time.” The Cleveland Browns declined the invitation, but graciously provided the jersey of […]
Meetings Going Nowhere? Debra Fine To the Rescue
I am, as you know, such a huge fan of small talk; but sometimes small talk can be the culprit of derailed meetings. In my BST life (Before Small Talk) I sat through a highly anticipated meeting where a group of smart, savvy, stylish people were gathered to discuss something critical. I knew it was […]
