I used to hate small talk with strangers, but that's just because I'm naturally introvert, and the practice was just non existent in the society I grew up in. It's only very recently that I have realised its importance as a social tool.

I'm still not good at initiating, but I'm now so much more relaxed about it, when I find myself in the situation.

The breakthrough moment was when I realised that with small talk, it's the non verbal part that matters, and this little shift in perspective has dramatically improved my social life. Suddenly, It was ok to casually talk about the weather.

I sometimes compare small talk to a jab in boxing. As a boxer, you don't want to throw your uppercut or strong right hand straight away at the beginning of a fight, instead, you start with a jab. Jab, jab, jab... and then maybe the uppercut... or maybe not, and that's ok too, because at least you've had a workout.