Casualness as Critical for Social Interaction

Some of the best conversations I've had with people have taken place in very, very casual situations, or 'fringe situations', such as randomly running into a friend on the way to someplace, just before saying goodbye to a friend at the subway or at a door, after a meal after the bill is paid, etc. These fringe situations, these transitory moments between 'real moments' in life seem to create great social environments where there's little pressure to talk. In fact, there is even negative pressure to talk since such situations presume participating parties are expecting to move on to the next moment in life. Conversely, most awkward silences arise when the pressure to speak is greatest. The more you force it, the more difficult it becomes. Also related: Chinese finger traps, insomnia, tar pits, and performance anxiety.