Small talk, chitchat, these are the

Small talk, chitchat, these are the short conversations we have at parties, while we wait in line at the store, at family events or work. Sometimes we make small talk with people we already know but not well. Often, we have to make small talk with complete strangers. Many people find such small talk about random topics difficult. Some people say they hate it. Others say small talk is a waste of time. They may even call it idle chitchat or idle chatter, meaning it doesn't do anything. They consider small talk not important. However, small talk is important.Small talk also gives you the chance to decide if you want to get to know that person better or not. Let's say you make small talk with someone at a party. But they only want to talk about cats. You may not want to build a friendship with them unless you really, really love cats.Chitchat can also increase your feeling of understanding or empathy toward people you know but not well. Chatting with colleagues about their children may help you to understand more of their life outside the office. This could help build healthy work relationships.Small talk could even help your larger communities your relationships with neighbors. Exchanging a recipe with neighbor in your apartment building may make her noises upstairs easier to 8live with.In 2011, most commuters in the city of Chicago said they would enjoy "quiet cars" where they sat alone and did not talk to anybody. Researchers at the University of Chicago then asked some participants in a study to talk to people while commuting to work on a train. They found that those who made small talk with strangers were happier than those who sat alone