As someone who does the same, it&#x27;s not a <i>forced</i> line. In fact, <i>not</i> talking about work feels far <i>less</i> forced to me. Sure, there could be moments where something is so interesting you want to share it—but that requires talking to someone who won&#x27;t just stare blankly at you because they lack the requisite knowledge and background to have the conversation.<p>More often than not, there&#x27;s nothing so interesting happening with work that I want to talk about it. Before I was self-employed, I frequently hated how going to lunch with work mates meant having to spend time talking about work. It felt like lunch was just another meeting, instead of a break from work. I&#x27;d much rather have more <i>meaningful and personal</i> conversation—like, about books, art, traveling, relationships, whatever. Something that elevates us out of our role as workers and focused on our non-working selves. Conversation that helps increase our knowledge and understanding of each other. To be sure, that could mean work-related topics come up. But it gets seriously boring to talk with people who only want to talk shop.