But nowhere is small talk more painful for me than at cocktail parties, where is actually also incumbent upon guests to “mingle”. Oh how Can’t stand that word – it reeks of ‘Oh Dahling!! A lost soul, I will talk to anybody who will give me the period (figuratively speaking). someone I can momentarily imprison with my attempt at trivial chit-chat. These are people I’ve probably never met before, or actually meet therefore. I watch others moving about with apparent ease – even enjoyment – while i am accommodating figure out why my watch has stopped!