Small talk is as welcome as COVID.

Good news! There are moments when small talk isn't just unnecessary - it's utterly avoidable. No need to make eye contact, think of a catchy question to embark on an unwanted conversation.

Here's a bulletproof, simple formula to determine when to dodge the small talk bullet.

FF + SO = Small Talk Required

• FF = you're sitting face-to-face, like in an interview or across a dinner table.

• SO = you have a shared objective: you're both at the same strategy meeting or attending the same cross-fit class.

Tick both elements and you need to start a conversation. Tick only one? Congratulations - you can stand down. No small talk required today!