I have a really hard time making small talk at work. Especially if I'm talking to someone higher up. The director is a nice, but very awkward man. He likes to come by and check up on me, see how I'm handling the work. He likes to say they were successful in stealing me away. When you think about it, it's very nice. The fact that he thinks I'm worth stealing.

But you have one awkward person asking the questions, and one really awkward person (me) answering. This morning's exchange went something like this:

Director: I saw one of your friends yesterday. He was asking about you. (Former co-worker from my previous department).

Chris: Oh, that's nice of him.

Director: The auditors have been asking about you too. Wondering if you're still with the company.

Chris: Well, I'm still here...

Well, DUH! He can obviously see that I'm still here. Luckily he was on his way to a meeting, but I was shaking my head after he left.

I know you guys are probably shaking your heads as well. Thinking of at least a hundred different things you can say to make the situation less awkward, but also just to make small talk - build up a camaraderie. I really suck at this. Back to my spreadsheets...