keeping in the same vein as my last post, i would like to share with you another instance of what i would consider "inappropriate" conversation. there is a lady that always speaks excessively to me in the office restroom. she is friendly, granted, however i don't know her from Adam. now, i'm not opposed to meeting new folks, but it just seems that the bathroom is not the ideal venue for budding friendships.

today i walked in and she was washing her hands, preparing to leave. on this occassion, i was just there to brush my teeth (my lunch involved onions). as if stranger small-talk in the bathroom wasn't strained enough (no pun intended), she started talking to me about the mosquito problem in her back yard - i with a mouth full of toothpaste all the while. how does one politely respond? i tried to insert timely "umm hmms" into the conversation without dribbling rabid foam down my chin. i was only minimally successful. it's not that i'm antisocial or uncaring - i really don't want this woman to get West Nile Virus when watering her rose bushes at dusk - but there are some things i just prefer to do in private (i.e. brushing my teeth).

the moral of the story? same as yesterday's. in these situations, just keep the conversation light and shallow. make witty, yet observant comments over your shoulder as you walk out the door so that only the briefest response/gesture is required by your listener. guard against giving strangers TMI (too much information) or, worse yet, TMUI (too much unsolicited information).