On the Value of Small Talk

I'm getting more sympathetic to inane small talk as the years go by. I don't enjoy it, but it at least fills the time around people I don't want to have real conversations with.

On Picking One's Battles (and One's Nose)

Him: My boss who sits in my small, confined office with me is sick. I've got no chance. He's always sick because he has 2 young kids. Little disease bags.

Me: Tell him to stay home and take a sick day. Tell HR.

Him: No need to stir up trouble over the sniffles.