When I was a wee lad, probably about four, maybe five, Mom and I were visting D.C., where Dad was contributing to the War Effort; as we walked up (or down) one of the main shopping streets in those days, I was obliviously making le small talk to Mom, who was walking next to me. Except she wasn’t. Unwittingly, I had gotten several paces ahead! And the person I was addressing, next to me, turned out to my horror to be a stranger-man! As Mom caught up, she said something like,“You talked to the man; now, listen to his reply.” I was traumatized. I’m in agreement with Mona: I detest idle chit-chat, especially with strangers!
When I was a wee lad, probably about four, maybe five, Mom and I were visting D.C., where Dad was contributing to the War Effort; as we walked up (or down) one of the main shopping streets in those days, I was obliviously making le small talk to Mom, who was walking next to me. Except she wasn’t. Unwittingly, I had gotten several paces ahead! And the person I was addressing, next to me, turned out to my horror to be a stranger-man! As Mom caught up, she said something like,“You talked to the man; now, listen to his reply.” I was traumatized. I’m in agreement with Mona: I detest idle chit-chat, especially with strangers!