Tonight I hate small talk.

I don't know what got into me today. I attended a dinner for our project team, and I was surly and silent most of the time.

I dunno... Somehow, everything seemed extra fake tonight. We all know that conversations at these types of things are more to fill the silence than anything else, but during our dinner, all the small talk and loud laughter seemed more feigned and contrived than usual.

I could have rolled my eyes at all those "So... does your country have hot springs, too?" and those oft-repeated questions of "How long have you been in Japan?" and "Are you enjoying your stay?" that always seem to pop up at every dinner I've ever attended here.

I know, I know... these questions are only natural... and I shouldn't really take issue. But I just wasn't in the mood tonight. I know that person asking me what project I'm working on isn't really interested to know what I'm keeping myself busy with. He just happened to be sitting beside me, and so he feels obliged to talk to me to avoid that awkward silence that's a big no-no in any social gathering. Aaah... the twists and turns of human social interaction. It just makes you wonder who created the rules, and why the heck everyone is following them. Actually, I was thinking those exact same thoughts as I sat there at the dinner table keeping stubbornly silent. In fact, I was so out of it I didn't even attempt to start any sort of conversation with anyone. Of course, I responded when somebody asked me something, but other than that I could have pretended I wasn't there, and everyone else would have agreed hehehe.

There are just some days I'm not fit company, and it's just too bad that tonight was one of them. Oh well, it happens. I just hope the people from my project team don't start thinking I'm suplada or anything like that (but I know it's too late to worry about that now hahaha!)