You mean the nature of the human essence and the complexity of ever truly knowing another isn't what you'd consider smalltalk. Lame, dude.

[He picks up two pieces, considering them a moment before setting one aside.]

The weather is out. Askin' after the well-being of our families would probably check out weird. Presumably there are more topics in the world than that, but I don't know if epistemology and the nature of being is your thing.