Author: Alanna Fichtel

 

At one point or another, most of us have engaged in a brief conversation with a friend or acquaintance about nothing extremely significant. This is the classic definition of a “stop and chat.” While it’s nice to have a conversation with or tell a quick story to someone you haven’t seen in awhile, there are a few necessary things to keep in mind when having a stop and chat.

 

Many stop and chats happen around campus. They’re inevitable, because you know more people on campus than you think you do (and possibly want to). But when someone is in a rush, anything more than a “hi” is something you should avoid. While you might not always know that you’re inconveniencing someone on their way to class, look out for a nervous look on their face and slight perspiration — telltale signs that now is probably not the best time to ask how they have been since the last time you saw them.

 

 

Another time these types of chats are unwelcome is at the gym. If you’re just coming into the gym, a quick chat isn’t a huge bother. Trying to have a conversation with someone mid-workout, however, usually won’t be successful. I can barely breathe as it is while I’m on the elliptical, so I really don’t have much energy left to put into a conversation. And when leaving the gym, most of us don’t look presentable enough to feel comfortable talking to that cute kid from class. (Really any other time would be better–and encouraged–in this case).

 

 

I’m not against the stop and chat completely, as it can be useful at times. These brief conversations probably equal the amount of time you spend waiting on the Terrace salad line, and might make you look a little less impatient.

 

But an issue with the stop and chat is when people mistake what should be a brief chat for a full-on conversation. Once you finally get your coffee at Libe, you probably have someplace to be and don’t have time for a whole coffee date. (But a stop and chat could be a great way to set this up.)

 

 

This can easily happen in a situation like waiting for the bus. You start chatting with someone without remembering that the TCAT will probably definitely be late. Then when you end up sitting next to the person on the bus, you’ve already talked about the weather and how stressed you are about prelims, and you’re forced to sit in awkward silence.

It would be hard to avoid stop and chats entirely without being rude. If done smoothly and in the right situations, they won’t really mess with the flow of your day. But stop and chats are supposed to be chill, so when you feel the chat turning into a drawn out conversation, remember to do less.