The Things in which I do not excel (pt.1)

Small Talk -
I had to go to the grocery Sunday night and was given a VERY talkative taxi driver. Now, I have gotten pretty skilled at small talking about the weather, but this was way out of my league. The driver commented that there were a lot of people waiting for taxis tonight. I shook my head yes, but obviously he didn't hear my brain rattling, so he said it again. This time I said yes, there are a lot of people. And that was the end of that conversation. Although a minute later he came up with another obvious observation. . . How do you respond to that?! I'm discovering a new pet peeve - I don't like to be talked at. If I am going to have a conversation with someone I would like it to be a conversation. Hmm, so maybe you are thinking "Emily just has a problem small talking in another language. That's ok, I would too." Nope, my problem runs deeper. Someone was telling me (in English) how nice it was that their daughter had received a photo of the two of us. I said yes, I was glad to give it to her. End of conversation. I couldn't think of anything else to say along those lines.

I don't have a problem with talking, I know that. It's just the polite, I don't really know you and I don't have time to get to know you right now, talking that is difficult. Small talk has its place - sometimes you really don't have time to get to know someone on a deep level, but you want to express appreciation or concern. I just don't know how to respond when it is directed to me.