International Journal of Nana Studies 1(1)

Background and Objective

Nana has several ways of "making conversation." The objective of this report is to examine Way 1.

Analysis and Discussion

Way 1 consists of the following steps:

1. Make a statement that is preposterous, ambiguous, or shocking.
2. Wait for other person's inevitable request for clarification or more information.
3. Pretend not to understand why any clarification is necessary, thereby prompting more needless preliminary conversation.
4. Eventually make the actual statement that was intended, which always turns out to be mundane and just barely warranting a reply.
5. Hope for further response from the other person, especially expressions of perplexity or frustration.

The following example is a typical application:

Nana (chipper voice): There was a murder here at our complex yesterday... right in our back yard.
StuporMundi: What do you mean in your "back yard"?!
N: What I can see right out my window.
SM: What?! You sound awfully cheery about...
N: Pigeon.
SM: What? It was a pigeon?
N: Yes.
SM: Then why would you say there was a murder...?
N: There was a murder. It looks like a hawk or something got it. There was a big pile of feathers....

Conclusion

Nana enjoys "making conversation," and will do so irrespective of whether there is anything to talk about. This general philosophy of making conversation is often referred to as "small talk." Way 1 is most useful when wanting to make conversation about subjects that are even too small for small talk.

Recommendation

It is recommended that Nana Conversational Methodology, Way 1, be referred to as "Nanoconversation."

Late update (2 January 2008): Erratum

In the above recommendation, the generic term nanoconversation was incorrectly conflated completely with Nanoconversation Way 1. This variety (i.e., way) of nanoconversation is correctly identified as "Smallest Talk". The keyword list for this posting has been amended to reflect the correct nomenclature. The editor sincerely regrets the error.