I’ve written previously about my dislike of small talk. I can’t stand its waste of time, its squander of opportunity for real conversation.

In a world where we’re often limited to brief interactions with those that matter — small talk robs us of these precious moments.

A friend recently referred to small talk as empty talk, and it struck me by how powerfully it explains it. And I’ve been thinking about an adjacent irritant: empty listening. To me, this offence is even worse.

It’s when you waste a conversation waiting for your turn to speak. Rather than listening with complete attention, you’re thinking of what you’ll say next, crafting your response. You analyze their words without listening to them.

Life is hectic and overwhelming. Our shared moments are fleeting.

Lately, I’ve learned to appreciate the moments with people that matter. Our opportunities for real talk are rare, and when they happen, they don’t last long.

Don’t waste these brief moments — fill them with conversation that matters.