Comments on: Small Talk (90)

By: Ritni Gall

Ritni Gall — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:44:47 +0000

I have also noticed that some people will ask “How are you?” in passing, not really expecting a reply, in place of “Hello.” I find this strange and I have observed that when I ever do reply, “Fine, How are you?” most people tend to keep on walking past me. It is interesting that this has developed into a commom greeting rather than a means of starting a conversation.
Another common response to “What’s up?” or “How are you?” is “Good.” I have heard this mainly from fellow students and I find it amusing because the person inquiring is not asking about your behavior or character, but your mood.

By: Tristan Mahr

Tristan Mahr — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 23:04:50 +0000

Maybe it has something to do with the acoustics, but you do sound much younger in this episode, Dave, contrary to what Howard says around 5:15.

By: Joe Brennan

Joe Brennan — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 03:39:49 +0000

You’ve been tagged- check out my post:
http://www.denblogs.com/digital_storytelling/2007/08/tag-im-it.html

By: Dave

Dave — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:15:16 +0000

Michael, I think the point Howard was trying to make is the same one you just made. The “proper” and usual answer to “What’s up?” is something like “Not much.” So when somebody reflexively answers “Fine,” what they’re doing is just returning empty small talk without having paid attention to the original question at all.

I have heard “Fine” as an answer to “What’s up?” many times, and have given it myself as a response a few times.

By: Michael Buchko Jr.

Michael Buchko Jr. — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 18:50:23 +0000

I wanted to mention another piece of Small Talk that you didn’t mention. When you said that someone asks “What’s Up” and the answer is “Fine.” I’ve never heard that answer. Usually, the generic and default answer is “Not Much.” Which I think is the most general use of Small Talk.

By: Smaran

Smaran — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:47:54 +0000

I don’t disagree, Dave, but I do think the podcast has been spread thin over multiple websites: the blog, the forum, Podcast Alley, Digg, etc.

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:11:31 +0000

Hi, Smaran! Good to hear from you.

I don’t think the comment threads have completely dried out. The last few podcast posts we’ve done have gotten as many as 13 or 14 comments.

But it’s true, the more dynamic discussions tend to happen at the forum. It’s interesting to see how the posts differ. Here, they are statements of opinion that are placed and left. At the forum, they tend to be questions and responses.

I think both are good.

By: Smaran

Smaran — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 05:16:19 +0000

Since you guys opened the forums, it seems like all the comments here have disappeared. I must check out the forums.

Anyway, just commenting to let you all know I’m still listening in. Keep up the good work!