When I don’t know what to say during a conversation, when I want change the subject or lull has been reached, I tend to half say, half sing-song “la la la.” I’m not entirely sure where it came from, or when it reached such prominence in my vernacular, but it’s there, and it appears to be sticking. It has even bumped the word “anyway” out of the top position as most frequently used transition word. I’ve been using it so much that my friends and family have started to make comments about it, or just shrug their shoulders and almost imperceptibly shake their heads when it pops out of my mouth once again. Some interpret it as a sort of, “I’m not listening” phrase, but that’s not it at all. It’s just my way of altering the focus and shifting the conversational energy and often giving someone else a little giggle. I’ve found it also works over email, when I don’t know where else to take a sarcastic volley when it lands in my gmail. It’s just a simple little redirect and I’ve grown quite fond of it.
Anyone else got one?
I’ve not used “la la la” but I will now! I almost always use the word “anyway”. And I HATE lulls in conversation especially w/ a close girl friend. I just can’t believe I don’t have anything to say. LOL
not mine, but i recall fondly (someone i dated in university):
anywho (as opposed to anyhow… somehow anywho is catching on)
and not fondly:
whatever
but i suppose for the most part i just meditate during silent pauses. i soak up the energy of the other person at that time, grateful for their presence. almost always this leads to either the other person picking up a new topic, or my brain bringing up something else about that person or related to that person or something which might interest that person. i like quiet time for that reason. i have one friend who, unlike anyone else EVER, i have been able to talk to non-stop for hours on end. literally. as in, one of our cel phones would invariably run out of battery and we’d have to switch batteries and call back to continue the conversation. but that’s nowhere near the norm…
I worked with a woman from Great Britain and she used the term, “now then” very abruptly to change subjects.
I tend to tune people out rather than change the subject.
he he he love it! i gotta use it!