Once in a while, I go to receptions for some kinds of events. These receptions are what you would in former times have called cocktail party.
Next to me, I see the slim, sun-tanned, no longer quite young but very youthfully dressed single blondie, accompanied by a baby-boomer manager in his mid-forties.
They both look really chic and are engaged in small-talk.
And then I hear dialogues such as the following:
She: This is a nice suit you are wearing?
He: Yes, I think it is important to dress well. In particular, I like Kashmir. Incidentally, my dog is an Afghan.
She: Well, speaking of Afghanistan, that is not a place I would like to go for a vacation.
He: Exactly, I definitely prefer the American way of life.
She: Mind you, I do not very much care for huge steaks.
He: Yes, I also find fish more humorous. Do you like twins?
She: In fact, I tend towards the monogamous… but doesn’t Obama make a huge impression on you, too.
He: Yes, the Americans, they are definitely a special nation. And the cars they drive …
She: Indeed, sitting on well-cushioned seats is definitely comfortable. But my Mini makes a far nicer growling sound.
He: But your Mini definitely suits you!
She: And if I press the accelerator pedal to the end, I will not even be a nuisance on the streets. But thanks for reminding me – I have to exchange the winter tyres.
And so on, and so forth …
And, standing behind my bistro table and listening to these kinds of banal and inconsequential sentences, I give them a friendly smile and think to myself:
It is really true: we live in times of idle chitchat.
And then I am glad to see how easy it is to be happy. And quickly drink my Pils.
RMD
(Translated by EG)