Casual Conversation Aficionado Mugs

"It's new. You like it? I'm on the fence."

'You must be Jim's new gardener. I'm his neighbour, Gerald. Had any luck with the Petunias this year? Aren't those Jim's feet sticking out of the ornamental pond?'

'Hold on, Bob. I'm downshifting.'

Shallow End (Slightly innocuous statements) - Deep End (a little more weighty)

'Fred is a social conservative -- he believes in slow food and heavy beer.'

"My wife and I handle our own finances. I'm an accountant and she's a grief counselor."

"Dude, Amazon is so popular they named a river after it."

How to Do Small Talk??!!

Twice a year, Uncle Mort and Sadie Cohen have an official relationship talk. While this biannual conversation is scheduled by mutual consent under long-standing treaty, some participants engage grudgingly. Let's talk about our feelings. I don't feel like it. That's not a feeling, Snookums! Loophole!

'Maybe we could hold the wedding on 'Casual Friday'.'

"That's where the tenured faculty members hang out."

Silly News.

Develop Your Social Skills: Asking Questions is a Great Way to Keep a Conversation Going.

Papa, how come Rudolph has a red nose? Because he's a drunk, son. Plain and simple.

"Oh, the usual - spreading pestilence and misery. You?"

Actually, I prefer to think of my body as repurposed.

The Schmoozy Reaper

"But I haven't finished explaining about dollar-cost-averaging." "Sorry, I didn't register for this course."

'I drink to bring about change.'

"Oh, just cellaring. You?"

"Some days I really wish I had finished med school. Not that I ever started med school."

Think we knew each other in a past life, Randy? I don't believe in past lives. In fact, I don't believe in the past. Or the future I don't even believe in right now. Everyone remembers the past differently. Everyone imagines the future differently. Everyone even disagrees about what's happening right now. So who's to say tomorrow what you and I did tonight? ... Sorry, that's Randy's line #42. Reflex. Wait, let me write that down.

'It's a doughnut - just eat it!'

"Please try not to offer expert analysis."

'Miss Kress, who on our staff is in charge of denials and uncomfortable realities.'

"It's beginning to appear as if I'll never have greatness thrust upon me."

"You don't have to schedule a follow-up visit. You just come back whenever you want."

Hi. How's it goin'? Good, you? 'Sup. Hey. Hello. The Primordial Schmooze.

"I grew up in St Louis and went to school in New Jersey and have been in Brooklyn ever-since, but sure, I guess technically I'm 'from' the Black Lagoon."

'Last night Gary put me in an impossible position.'

'Is it just me, or is it REALLY temperate in here?'

"My gut instinct was to say yes. . . but years in social work have shown me how these things end up working out."

"Round of golf or a round of drinks?"

"I hate rhetorical questions. Know what I mean?"

"Sorry. I was expecting the lady. I can see you're busy. I'll call sometime. We'll do lunch."