idk if the anecdotes in my life are indicative of a wider trend, but older people (60+) seem much more interested in smalltalk than younger people (20s-30s). perhaps this is just because older people are lonelier and seek more connections, perhaps this is because young people are busy with more shit to do + more tired from work with less energy to talk. perhaps the scaremongering commentators are somewhat right and technology and pandemic isolation have stunted young people's social skills or whatever.

i like talking to old people so this isn't really a problem for me, but i do wish ppl in their 20s would chat with me about the weather in the elevator sometimes!