Why are a lot of people incapable of holding a conversation?

[QuestionMan]

I guess there's no Social Relationships category anymore so I'm putting it here.

Anyways, what I've noticed is a lot of people when I talk to them the conversation ends within 5 minutes because they never have anything to say other than the cliche responses.

For example:
Me: Sup
Person: Nothing much
Me: Hey did you see [insert random topic here]?
Person: No
Me: What do you think of penguins? I think they are pretty cool
Person: Yeah they are pretty cool

The conversation just ends because the other person never engages in the conversation or tries to make it interesting by bringing up one of their interests.

There are a few awesome people out there with whom I can start talking about Avatar the Last Airbender (or any other topic) with and end talking about Greek food (or any other ropic) 2 hours later.

Why is that?

Updates

+1 y

@Cmasterson and @MissNowhere I'd like your input

[Cancer711]

I know it's pretty sad isn't it... I agree I can't even tell you how many times I tried to carry on a conversation with someone and it goes no where. Usually consists of me asking questions and that's it. One can only carry a conversation so far on their own. I feel as though most people now a days are so incredibly consumed by there electronics that they do not know how to properly engage with other people face to face. I miss the good old days when you had to call from a land line to get a hold of someone or go out looking for em. Now you need not look any further than online to find someone you need to talk to. This world is becoming a scary place in the sense everyone is being dumbed down by technology doing everything for them

[QuestionMan]

I agree, I sometimes think of just talking to random people on the metro and see what happens.
It's the only place where electronics don't work but people seem to be so closed off for no reason.

[bloodmountain1990]

One thing I don't get is when people approach you and initiate conversations or ask for a date but don't have anything to add to the conversation. That's more confusing than anything. It's like are they wanting you to interview them?

[MissNowhere]

Obviously you are aiming this towards me since I know you've tried to talk to me and I've given you bleh answers. It's not because I can't hold a conversation, it's because I don't really like you as a person, therefore I have no interest talking to you, I don't want to. If I actually like the person, I can talk to them 6 hours straight no problem. I'm just picky with who I wanna talk to since I don't really enjoy basic convos with random people I couldn't care less about.

[QuestionMan]

I'm comfortable talking with almost anyone personally

[MissNowhere]

Well, I'm not that social, I have better things to do with my time. There are only a handful of people I truly enjoy and want to talk to these days. Obviously we're very different when it comes to these things.

[QuestionMan]

This question wasn't aimed at you, it's a just a phenomenon that I've recently encountered. It's weird I'd always be like hey what's up to any acquaintance and I could easily carry a conversation with them even if I'm not close with them. Nowadays for some reason people are more closed off and glued to their phones so it's really hard to meet a girl especially if they see me talking to them as "an invasion of their privacy" or "unwanted attention".

Out of curiosity other than my views on casual sex (which you seem to be completely against) what else do you have against me? Is it my dislike for LGTs (I'm ok with bisexual people)?
I'd really like to know what makes people not like me.

[MissNowhere]

It kind of was, otherwise you wouldn't have been so persistent in getting me to answer it...

The fuck? See, you strike again. When was I ever against casual? I have NOTHING against casual sex AT ALL, the fact that I wouldn't have it doesn't mean I'm against it, I couldn't care less what other people do with their genitals. You're the one who's COMPLETELY against monogony, polyamorousy is the only way , monogamy is not oja blah blah blah... that really pissed me off that, saying all the time how stupid and ridiculous and unnatural monogamy is and all that, refusing to even look at things from my perspective.
I didn't know you were against LGTs, thanks, now I dislike you even more :)
Plus, the way how you were also commenting on my life and giving me stupid suggestions that I did not ask for, trying to change me. No, thank you.

[QuestionMan]

I asked you to answer because you remind me of other people that I have encountered so I felt that you would be qualified to answer the question.
As for me forcing my beliefs that is inaccurate since we were simply debating and you failed to provide reasoning to back up your arguments other than "that's how I feel". So I tried to get an answer out of you to clarify your opinion but I decided to give up on it since you attacked me rather than my argument.
As for my dislike on LGTs I don't care what you think about that. I've never liked them because they are a strong lobby that forces their beliefs on others and declares anyone that isn't 100% supportive as a bigot.
I'll write a myTake about that later.

Finally I did not mean to offend you in anyway when I commented on your life. I found it strange that you claimed to have no friends, not like being approached while being horny and seemed very closed off from the world. I tried to cheer you up since I assumed you were depressed but

[QuestionMan]

you responded with hostility as if I was trying to fix your life. I can't fix your life. It is up to you to fix any problems you may have.

[MissNowhere]

Oh please, when we were talking about monogamy and polyamorousy, even other users joined in to say how ridiculous and wrong you were being which is proof enough. And I provided good enough reasoning, your close-mindedness just prevented you from understanding what I was saying.

You were very consustent about wanting to talk about my life when I clearly didn't want to, and that's kind of disrespectful. I can live how I want to, you don't have to understand it or judge me. You don't even know me. It was very uncomfortable and annoying.

[MissNowhere]

*consistent

[normaltaro]

hahaha. me: how does it feel to be humiliated one time? is it enough?
asker: nah i want more

[Cmasterson]

It really depends on the person, as in if they're interested in talking to someone. You know when you have a crush on someone, the conversation keeps going, and then carries over to the next day etc. Or could be between good friends same thing, because they're comfortable with each other. If people are genuinely not interested in talking with someone they won't make the effort to ask questions back etc.

[ManThatKnewTooMuch]

I agree with this dude, Anonymous. I'd like to say that people are disconnected with phones and such but I think that's only a small percentage, probably 20%. Obviously these quiet, disconnected people have friends with whom they hang out and socialize with; they just don't feel like doing so with you, for whatever reason.

I wouldn't take it personal though. It is kinda sad tho how individualistic people have become. In a true community people would be talking to each other and be more engaged.

[ThatBritishLad]

Because everyone's on the internet where they can take time to be nice and witty. If you met me in public, you'd have no bloody idea who I was.

[QuestionMan]

No shit Sherlock you live in the UK I probably wouldn't be able to find you lol
So people have forgot how to talk because of the Internet?

[ThatBritishLad]

That, phones, email and all that junk. The average family meet up is four people on their phones nowadays.

[DoraLikesSugar]

Nobody has an obligation to talk to you. They're just being polite until you take the hint and fuck off.
If you want a conversation try Omegle, Chatroulette, Tinychat etc.

[QuestionMan]

Oh lol I wish they would just say it

[MissNowhere]

This^

[Anonymous]

Mainly because the other person is completely not interested at all.. They make it boring so it stops. Yes I always do it, only to strangers online.