“Talking all the time about anything is unsexy.  Sphinxes and Mona Lisas knew what they were doing!” Helen Gurley Brown, Sex and the Single Girl

I ran into a friend the other day–okay, I use the term “friend” loosely, we’re friendly by convenience even though I think she’s a lunatic and she thinks I’m a heretic and possibly a *slut*.  Point is, we were trapped in a small room together, and she started telling me this long story about being at a dinner party and this girl was getting drunk and it was weird and she was getting sooooo drunk and it was soooo weird watching someone get sooooo drunk….you get the point.  And that’s the short version.  The entire five minutes we were together she drove this thrilling story home.  Good to see you too, dear.  (She didn’t ask about my weekend, naturally).

Now for instance, my friend Pete can tell the same story every time I see him and it’s entertaining every time.  He managed to make a story about missing the bus absolutely riveting.  It’s a talent, and one that can be cultivated.  

I’ve started being a little more reserved in how I speak, and in doing so, I’ve begun to notice how often people a) talk about nothing and b) reveal too much.   I don’t plan on zipping my lips anytime soon (I do love to chat!) but try taking notice of when you talk and what you say.  Do you need to tell the cashier about your ear infection?  Does your boss really need to know exactly what you did over the weekend?

Save your gossip for your girlfriends.  Save your best stories for parties.  And when in doubt….zip it.