Conversation | featured news

Anna Schiferl hadn't even rolled out of bed when she reached for her cell phone and typed a text to her mom, one recent Saturday. Mom was right downstairs in the kitchen. The text? Anna wanted cinnamon rolls for breakfast....

“When you see people,’’...“the first thing they say is, ‘What’s new?’ You say, ‘Nothing,’ and then there’s nothing to talk about.’’..Small talk involves more than answering questions as if you’re on the witness stand. A good mingler needs to initiate conversation.

What word or phrase do Americans find most annoying when used in conversations?