Rainy Day People

Why is it that people resort to talking about the weather whenever there is nothing to talk about?

There really isn't that much to say about it. "Oh wow, it's really hot. I love this weather." "Yeah, me too." Or, "It's so cold; I hate this weather." "Yeah, me too." You may as well ask a person what color his or her toothbrush is. It will get you an equally long response.

Instead when there's a lull in the conversation, why don't people ask, "So, how about that repeal on Proposition 8?" Or "How do you feel about violence in the media?" "Where do you stand on environmental protection and/or animal rights?" "What do you think John Steinbeck was trying to say about human nature in Of Mice and Men?" "Do you think Lady Gaga is a man or a woman?" "What do you think about censorship in literature?" "How do you feel about Woody Allen films?" And the list goes on...

There are options. Many options. Use them next time.