Seven Topics To Never Bring Up In Conversation

Stop everything and listen to this charming, hilarious and fascinating discussion between This American Life's Sarah Koenig and her mother MRS. Matthiessen (and don't you dare call her Maria). Mrs. Matthiesen has seven hard and fast rules regarding topics that should never be brought up in conversation, not because they are taboo but because they are just downright boring. These topics include how you slept, your period, your dreams, route talk (how you got from point A to B), your health, your diet, and money. I'm definitely guilty of bringing up all of these topics on a weekly basis! During the show, Sarah sets out to prove her mother wrong by finding a fascinating story on each subject. It's well worth listening too.

Ghosting

Would you ever leave a party without saying goodbye? A recent article in Slate captured my attention with the concept of "ghosting" or just disappearing from a party without all the traditional fanfare surrounding farewells to those in a large group. I've heard this concept called the "Irish Goodbye" when we lived in Ireland and I kind of love the idea.

"Goodbyes are, by their very nature, at least a mild bummer. They represent the waning of an evening or event. By the time we get to them, we’re often tired, drunk, or both. The short-timer just wants to go home to bed, while the night owl would prefer not to acknowledge the growing lateness of the hour. These sorts of goodbyes inevitably devolve into awkward small talk that lasts too long and then peters out." 

Pat and Terri

The topic of name pronunciation and nicknames came up at our slumber party a couple of weekends ago. It was interesting to hear different people's perspectives on their names being shortened and whether or not to correct people when your name is mispronounced.

When we lived abroad people often shortened Patrick and Teresa to Pat and Terri. I'd never been called Terri in my life before that! I didn't corrected anyone because it's not a big deal to me and I thought it was kind of funny but if it was happening on a regular basis I might get more upset.

A friend of mine has a unique European name that is constantly being mispronounced, she said it's better to correct people right away so that it's not awkward down the line when they finally realize they've been mispronouncing it for a long time.

Do you correct people if they mispronounce your name or use an over-familiar nickname? 

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