Small Talk

Last week, I was walking (syempre wala akong kotse) from home towards one of the hospital buildings for some orientation thingey when it started to rain (aba! at ang lalaki ng patak!). I opened my giant umbrella and smirked, “Hah! I came prepared!” But the rain poured really hard that I had to take shelter at the nearest edifice. My slacks were wet halfway up my knees. It didn’t seem like the sun was going to shine soon so I decided to call my brother-in-law to fetch me and drive me to where I was going.

I reached the orientation meeting early and ate breakfast. Soon people started to arrive and another resident took the seat beside me. The appropriate thing to do was to introduce myself.

Me: hi, I’m Duke, family medicine. ( and I shake her hand)
Her: I’m R_____. Neurology. How are you?
Me: I’m good, thank you. And you?
Her: Same here.

While we were waiting for the speaker, I decided to start some chit chat. But I really had nothing to say.

Me: the weather’s bad, no?
Her: yea, and the traffic too. It took me almost an hour to get here.
Me: I hear it’s going to be raining for five days at least.
Her: really? That’s not good.

And then I had nothing else to say. Had it been a Filipino conversation I wouldn’t have had any problem. Everyone around us was engaged in small talk that I felt I needed to say something…..hmmm….something….

Me: D’ya know that my socks are wet inside my shoes?
Her: You’re gross.

Toink! Toink! Toink!!