The Decline of Small Talk and Connection

In a fast-paced world, the art of small talk and connecting with strangers seems to be fading. The speaker recalls a time when their family engaged with neighbors on the front porch but now hides behind hedges to avoid interaction. The fear of unexpected visitors has heightened, except for deliveries which temporarily fill a sense of loneliness. A friend even moved due to the dread of neighbor interaction. The overwhelming busyness of life, worsened by ADHD, leaves little time for pleasantries. Surprisingly, the decline of smoking is also seen as a factor in the decrease of casual conversations, which used to revolve around cigarettes.