I agree with the sentiment and hate the weather conversations in a sense, but I think in any interaction it's normal to start with the lowest common denominator and move up. I think interesting conversationalists are people who understand what's normal, and are able to play along or break out of it as they please. I don't think of that talk as a way of finding out what people think about the weather, but rather a venue to establish that you're an okay person who can be warm and easy to talk to, and to make a smooth transition into whatever it was you really wanted to know. That, and as an opening to break the automatic conversation that will happen if nobody cares. If you're playful, you could start a phone conversation with a stranger as anyone does, then break the ice on with questions like "Dallas, did you say? Tell me one thing that an outsider wouldn't know about Dallas, but don't you dare mention the weather." quote: Originally posted by a.skype Hi, last time my post has been deleted. I'll try once again. I have a problem with phone calls. I try not to use the phone. I do not call my relatives, it is hard for me to make phone calls at work either. I have friends in real life but they do not call me on the phone. They usually text me. Maybe i choose friends that are similar to me. Maybe it is common