Banter

In March 1986, while living in Brooklyn, Chris Bohjalian and his wife were cab-napped on a Saturday night and taken on a forty-five-minute joy ride in which the driver ignored all traffic lights and stop signs.Around midnight he deposited the young couple on a near-deserted street, where police officers were about to storm a crack house. Bohjalian and his wife were told to hit the ground for their own protection. While lying onthe pavement, Bohjalian's wife suggested that perhaps it was time to move to New England.

Have you ever wondered why most books of quotations are stuffed full of rather pedestrian quotes by people you've never heard of?

Beyond simple small talk: what to say and when to say it to be likable, connect, and make a memorable impression.