If social interaction is a continuum, on one end there are people who are painfully fake, too slick, easy to spot in a crowd, just look for them looking over the shoulder of the person they’re speaking to. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are, plug your ears, bitches – icicles that can’t be bothered to make nice with anyone. Somewhere in the middle, thank God, are genuine, friendly people.

Aspartame-y people (sweet, but fake – see what I did there?) are one thing to deal with, but innocuous. People that publically snub others are another challenge all together, because they make it awkward for everyone around. I’m horrible at remembering names (a flaw that I’ve lamented about) but I try not to let that shortcoming make those around me feel uncomfortable or awkward. We’ve all felt left out in a converstation at one time or another – so we can all related to have that feels.

There’s an art to making nice and giving good small talk. It makes others feel more comfortable and makes you look more graceful. Be warm. Be kind. Be curious. Be conversational. Be inclusive. Be humble, even if that means reintroducing yourself to the same person three times. Try a little. Being bitchy isn’t very becoming.

by Karen Cleveland
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