To find it beyond dull when people mention the weather?

[angelos02]

Just. Why? If you can't think of anything interesting to say, don't say anything at all.

I like talking about the weather, it's something we do in this country and we do it well.

Are you grumpy because you're at work on a bank holiday?

Cheer up, it's a beautiful sunny dsy outside

Maybe I just don't like small talk. Probably just a grumpy git.

So when others talk it is wittering and when you talk it is something interesting or you need to inform a colleague

Yes right

Like I stated earlier - superior. And still on MN

It's 3am here, but I'm awake because we're having a thunderstorm, and my dog is afraid of thunderstorms. I am sitting up with her so she doesn't keep the whole household awake with her incessant whining.

^^Talking about the weather. ;)

Where are you Steff?

For some people too it takes a lot of courage and can be a real achievement to be able to open a conversation with someone, even on such an easy, safe topic - I'm thinking of people with social anxiety or just very shy folk, and children or adults with special needs or mental health challenges.
Others may be finding life very hard for lots of reasons such as illness or bereavement.
If any of these people can turn to me and say "It's a lovely day today isn't it?" "Nice that the suns out today" I feel it would be churlish not to agree with them with a little enthusiasm.
It's not easy for everyone.

If you're at work, why are you on MN?

Oh, I love talking about the weather. A few of my work colleagues are avid gardeners so are borderline obsessional. The forecast will be checked several times a day on several different sites, hemm'd and haw'd at, before the conclusion is reached that the forecasters always get it wrong anyway.

Is it just us Brits that do this? I also thought saying 'lovely weather today, isn't it?' was code for I'm friendly and happy to chat.

Clash agreed, it's polite and friendly.

Unlike angelos

Where are you Steff?

Ohio.

In the months of July and August it gets well over 90, with a heat index of over 100, and it does annoy me when multiple say, "hot enough for you?" But, I think it's because the heat makes me grumpy.

Normally, I think the weather is a legitimately interesting topic of conversation. Here in Ohio we get snow, rain, thunderstorms, wind, hail, tornados, windchills in the -30 range, and heat indexes up over 100. It's amazing, really.

So basically the problem is the op doesn't like being distracted from mumsnetting by people trying to make polite conversation with her

Well said Sirzy

I find it hard to talk due to my GAD (generalised anxiety disorder, more on the social side though) and it's a safe, but boring, conversation which I'd try to avoid unless relevant- if it's a really horrible day or it's snowing, I'd say something though.

So you don't socialise. They do. You should try it...

Yes, Sirzy

...but what's the weather like where you are?

So you don't socialise. They do. You should try it...

She does socialise, look

I don't Witter. Not at work. If something is interesting or I need to inform a colleague, fair enough

Beautiful day, off to the beach soon :)

Angelos are you not British? Could this be the problem? Comments on the weather are fine really.
Could it be that your colleague is miffed at having to work on a Bank Holiday Monday when the weather is nice.

Heavy rain moving in from the west over night. Make the most of today

Bit harsh. It's better to be polite and say something to people you don't know than just stare at them. There's a bunch of old teachers at work who I have nothing in particular in common with - we often make weather small talk.

It was cloudy here yesterday and I worried that today was going to be the same but the sun's just come out.

if you are standing at a bus stop and a hurricane its a bit windy then of course you are going to mention it , the weather is an important part of our day surely and a passing pleasantry isn't doing anyharm tut you are right grumpy might start a what is the weather like thread just to bore you

It's a bit chilly here but the sun's out, hope it warms up later.

How's it by you? angelos

It's a good conversation starter when you need to talk to a stranger. It has low chance of causing offence. Although a patient did once try and throw a urine bottle at my head for commenting on how misty it was outside ie you couldn't see the car park.