In the few years I have spent engaging in casual banter with the suburban middle class parents of my wife’s voice and piano students, I have learned a few things about appropriate casual conversation topics. I welcome loving additions, but here is a starter-list of appropriate chat topics when engaging with this regional tribe:
Gas prices
Workout regimens
Dog grooming
Contractors
Heating and cooling
Should my next car be a hybrid?
Lawn care
“cleaning lady” advice / reccomendations
Whatever was on CNN that day
Whole foods / trader joes products
Telecommuting
High School musicals
The Sercret (by Eckhardt Tolle)
Farm to table restaurants
Coupons!
Their gifted children
…I must now go pick up sticks and pinecones from the front yard…
The Narcissistic (American) Anthropologist 