"You Get Two Questions"

"If you’re talking to a stranger and not sure whether or not she’s interested in talking to you, she’s probably not, but to make it very easy: Stop after two questions.

When approaching someone you don’t know, start with, Hi, how are you? You can ask one more question after that. If, after asking those two questions, the person does not ask you a question, time’s up. Politely excuse yourself.

This rule applies, broadly. Perhaps you want to chat to the person seated next to you on a plane or train or in a shared Uber car: You get two questions. Standing in line at the DMV: two questions. Hanging out at a coffee shop: two questions, so long as the other person is not wearing headphones. At the movies: no questions. Christ."

http://gawker.com/you-get-two-questions-1732426998?utm_campaign=socialflow_gawker_facebook&utm_source=gawker_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

I really like this rule.

Like, I really really like this rule.

It's not just the individual conversations that will end more quickly, it's theoretical ease with knowing that I won't have to deal with any over-long conversations.