Editing 222: Small Talk

{{comic
| number    = 222
| date      = February 12, 2007
| title     = Small Talk
| image     = small_talk.png
| titletext = But surely I owe you an accurate answer!
}}

==Explanation==
[[Cueball]] is approached by his friend who offers one of the standard {{w|greeting}}s of, "What's Up? How've you been?" In standard "small talk," an appropriate answer would be only one or two words (e.g. "Fine" or "Pretty good"). These are generally positive responses, with negative ones only offered in extreme circumstances. In this situation, Cueball forgets that this type of answer is what his friend is expecting. Instead, he contemplates thoroughly on his condition, wanting to provide accurate, detailed information to his friend. His response sheds light on the many layers of meaning a simple question such as "What's up?" can have. His friend, thrown off by the delayed response, snaps his fingers to regain Cueball's attention and reminds him that they are having a conversation, which is best facilitated by the standard short responses.

The title text shows that Cueball was more interested in accuracy than the ease of the conversation, simply out of respect for his friend.

==Transcript==
:[Two Cueballs standing next to each other]:
:[Header box on top of the panel:]
:Sometimes I forget how to do small talk.

:Friend: Hey!
:Cueball: Hey, man!
:Friend: What's up? How've you been?
:Cueball: Well...

:[Three overlapping identical frames of the two Cueballs standing next to each other indicate the passage of time.]

:[The Cueball on the left snaps his fingers at the Cueball on the right.]
:Friend: Uh, you ok?
:Cueball: Yeah! It's just an interesting question. I'm trying to decide what best sums up my--
:Friend: Hey. Conversation.
:Cueball: Oh, right. I'm fine. You?
:''Snap''

{{comic discussion}}

[[Category:Comics with color]]
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]
[[Category:Multiple Cueballs]]
[[Category:Social interactions]]
[[Category:Language]]