People skills

Why is it called "small talk"? When two people get together, sit and converse, what is small about that? If you care about people and have enough care to be there with them, just how else are you going to learn more about them? You must want to; after all, you are there!

Yes, sometimes you can read a book and learn from it, but what happens if the questions you would have asked, weren't? Or worse, were edited out.  A good example of this would be,"what did the author mean when he said_____"? Since no one asked the author that question while he was alive, all answers are conjecture. Subject to informed opinion. 

Is that what you want from the person sitting across from you...Pablum? Not if you have any real interest in them. My preferred term might be "info-sharing", because it addresses what you are really trying to do. I like to read, but I prefer my people up close and personal. Not read, but understood. Works for me. And, if you manage to be in a really nice restaurant, icing on the cake...or Strawberries (all yours)!