A room full of people engaging in conversation and sharing their thoughts can be an extrovert's paradise or an introvert's challenge. Now, "Skip the Small Talk Dinner" events are encouraging individuals of all types to connect and build relationships faster. The concept revolves around using cards with thought-provoking questions to facilitate interaction among attendees.

Ashley Kirsner is the founder of Skip the Small Talk, which currently hosts in-person events in major cities across the United States and Europe, as well as online events accessible from anywhere, according to the company's website.

Similar to speed dating, these speed friending small talk events are run by individuals who promote and host the gatherings at local bars. Caitlyn Jones is a community leader and a Skip the Small Talk host throughout New York.

"We have participants who are attending because they're new to this city and looking to build connections," Jones said. "Some people are joining because they're in a transitional phase of their lives. Maybe they're changing careers, or they've recently gone through a breakup and need a safe space to share openly and honestly."

Jones pairs participants for 10-minute discussions using a series of prompts. They encourage participants to share something of significance to them and to approach these conversations with a fresh perspective compared to typical interactions with strangers.

In recent years, younger generations have expressed difficulty in engaging in these kinds of conversations, especially in the professional world. According to The Wall Street Journal, educational institutions and businesses are even incorporating classes that teach conversational skills, such as casual conversation.

Alison Wood Brooks, an O'Brien Associate Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, is one such professor.

"Many of my students find small talk extremely uncomfortable and will go to great lengths to avoid it," Brooks stated.

Her course at Harvard focuses on navigating challenging situations, such as job interviews or high-pressure work meetings.

"It also focuses on situations that are less intimidating, the kind that we encounter every day, because they are so common," Brooks said.

Brooks noted that social media plays a role in the decline of interpersonal skills among younger generations. With the rise of social media and technology, she says, staying connected has become simplified. However, a concern arises as individuals are no longer required to engage in face-to-face conversations.

"The environment young people face today doesn't offer as many opportunities for real face-to-face interaction, which means they're not getting as much practice," Brooks explained. "Another perspective that's always in my mind is that maybe conversation is just inherently challenging for everyone, and has always been. But perhaps, today, we're more conscious of, or becoming more aware of, the possibility that it's a skill worth developing."

Participating in an event like "Skip the Small Talk" can be a valuable way to enhance your social abilities. While some might find it challenging to avoid giving generic responses like talking about the weather or saying "what about you," events like this can encourage more substantial and in-depth conversations.

Joshua Vargas, a 27-year-old from New Jersey, has participated in several "Skip the Small Talk" events, enjoying the opportunity to engage in profound conversations with others.

"It's almost like small talk acts as a lubricant, ensuring conversations flow smoothly. But just like adding too much butter to a dish, excessive small talk can make a conversation feel heavy and excessive," Vargas said. "It's often overused."

Brooks emphasizes that while delving into more meaningful subjects fosters deeper connections, small talk remains essential.

"The issue isn't with the subjects of small talk themselves, but rather with dwelling on them for extended periods," Brooks explained. "Nobody wants to discuss the weather for 10 minutes, but everyone needs to engage in it as a starting point and a means to explore more interesting topics."

We cannot entirely avoid casual conversation, but for individuals like Vargas, the event provided a chance to seek deeper connections.

"At 27, having just graduated, I felt lacking in certain skills, especially navigating conversations in the corporate environment," Vargas said. "This particular event has equipped me with greater flexibility in my thinking, questioning, and understanding others' feelings that might differ from my own."