what do you prefer to talk about?

CompoundEyes 3 hours ago | parent | next [-]

It’s a safe entry point, anyone can chime in and borders on phatic. I get it. But my preference is it triggers something quickly like a funny story as op said. Too often the ritual just gets stuck.

	▲	sublinear 3 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Yeah I was thinking along the lines of Seinfeld, but obviously it doesn't have to be that cheesy. That show just generally has a really good grasp of everyday idle chatter, and maybe even defined it culturally to some extent. e.g. Oh you got the big salad? I had a friend once who asked for a big salad. I paid for it, but my girlfriend took credit when she handed her the bag! The audacity!

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bluefirebrand 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Personally? Almost literally anything but food

I've always been a picky eater and it's been a source of a lot of embarrassing situations for me in my life. Now I'm celiac too, and many people still kind of roll their eyes when I say I have to be gluten free. Talking about food with people I don't know well makes me uncomfortable as hell.

To the point raised in another conment: it doesn't feel like a safe easy topic for me because in my life it often hasn't been

	▲	sublinear 43 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		I'm surprised that's the case. I used to scoff at gluten free, but that was at least over a decade ago when the options were half assed. I know it's not quite the same, but when a restaurant offers gluten free they're also likely to offer keto or low carb options. Given how many people are prediabetic and don't even know it, they're missing out big time on the alternatives. In most cases, it really is just simple ingredient swaps or removals on otherwise very delicious food. I actually do choose gluten free anyway when I just want a break (is less bloat for me). Hands down, some of the best food I've ever had was mediterranean inspired or at least featured more protein and less carbs. Once you see the light, it's downright disgusting how many places are serving you the same bland brick of carbs on a plate over and over.