'Tis the season for holiday parties, soirees, shindigs and other get-togethers. And, in a lot of cases, that may involve conversations that start with something like, "Nice weather we’re having," or, "How about those Phoenix Suns?"

There are those who complain about small talk, and feel it’s pointless. But, Matthias Mehl says, that’s not necessarily so.

Mehl is a professor of psychology at the University of Arizona and he joined The Show to talk about the role that small talk plays in our relationships with people and our ability to get along with the rest of the world.

Bevin Christina Photography

Matthias Mehl

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