It was my best friends birthday party last night and I tried to chat and mingle but I did poorly, left early, and hurt her feelings. I knew 8 people there, I would say acquaintance level, I tried mingling but there is so many awkward pauses and I never know how to continue the conversation. I really struggle with small talk, part of it is that I don’t have anything worthwhile to say right now (I’m finishing up my degree online and not working. I am home the majority of the time). I feel like asking people about work is boring. A lot of people don’t like their jobs and I feel like it reduces the person down to their job/career and people are so much more than that.

I try asking more interesting questions but I feel like people always meet me with weird looks and cagey answers. Example: “where is your favorite place on earth?” I’m met with confused looks and short answers, “um, the beach I guess?” With no follow up… what am I supposed to do with that? They don’t ask questions back typically, and if they do, while I answer I don’t feel like they care or are listening?

My friend has tried to integrate me into her friend group, I’ve known these people for years, I cannot break past the acquaintance level. A lot of it is probably due to lack of common ground (they like music festivals and go to them together, I do not. So I’m not there to bond within the group.) I’m getting way off topic.

TLDR: I want and need to make friends, smalltalk is difficult, any advice on how to make small talk would be great!