[M.D. Holloway]

I was thinking about conversations, particularly the elements of a ‘just hanging-out’ conversation. Seems like most conversations are based on an existing event and then expands. You meet a friend or acquaintance and you begin to discuss a topic of concern or something occurring right then and there. If that topic is exhausted then there is an expansion if time and interest in that person persists. But what about that comfortable gab that occurs when your just hanging out.

They seem to take on the dynamic of:
1) Topic Introduction in the way of a quick story
2) Buy-in or Rebuttal from others
3) Optional Questions
4) One-upmanship
5) Repeat 2,3,4
6) Topic Change

When hanging out, drinking beers et al, the topics always seem to breakdown to the following topics:

- Kids Latest Adventure (Including School, Sports or Trouble)
- Issue With Auto or Home
- Gossip About Friends or Neighbors
- Health Issues
- TV Show or Movie Seen or Interested In
- Something Going on in Town
- Animal or Insect Story
- Work Story

Rarely if ever do people seem to talk politics, history, literature, music, science, or religion – maybe for fear of being stigmatized for being a brainy geek or maybe because the general population is not really interested in these topics.

Which topics do you engage in freely with your hang-out friends?