Syd Quotes

You know what? It's a great conversation starter, right? You meet friends that way. Sometimes it's a good thing. And then other times, I guess, the person is just a little too... then you kind of like want to back away. It depends on the person, you know?

I've never been socially outgoing, but I suspect I've gotten more and more ambivalent about making new friends. I'm irritated by how-do-you-do chit-chat, but that's how new relationships usually begin.

I've been stopped a few times by people who want to say, 'Hi.' But I'm an introverted person, and the idea that I'd have to talk to people all the time seems a little overwhelming.

I cannot do business. I cannot sit and say, 'How are you, the weather's great, how's your golf?' I'm like a bull in a china shop.

I'm more the sort of person who doesn't like hugging strangers because we don't know each other, so we shouldn't.

I have been in meetings where a head of state will say, 'I like your tie,' to a man... or, 'I like your country because the weather's good,' or whatever. So for me, the pins in some ways were openers.

I do not find the concept of consorting with unknown persons appealing.

Do people ever ask me to say 'Wow?' Never in interviews, but a few times on the street. I don't do it. I try to get away from them as quickly as possible and explain that I'm not a performing seal.

You've gotta wonder what kind of vibe you're putting out there if you're having really creepy people come talk to you.

I was gregarious as a kid, but I think the idea of actually getting to know people, I'm just shy. It sort of takes me a minute to want to sit down and talk about myself.

I have stopped going out places just to avoid uncomfortable conversations.

I haven't got the patience for small talk, although I once saw a woman standing on her own in the corner, and I realised it was Monica Lewinsky, and I had the nicest evening with her - she was charming.

You can pair me up with anybody but that's not a nice thing to do. I should also be comfortable to make male friends.

Getting stopped in the middle of the lingerie section, when you're trying to stock up on a few things, by an older man who wants a selfie is a little bit awkward... but I don't let that get in the way of me trying to do normal things, because that is when I get to interact with people as well. Preferably not amongst the underwear, though.

I'm not going to stop talking to people who come up to me in an airport. I'm not going to worry about what may be their ulterior motive.

Awkwardness is such a gold mine for comedy.

I've had people come stand in front of the treadmill and wait for me to acknowledge their presence so they can speak.

Being able to walk in a room with people you don't know and be comfortable - I'm very used to that.

If you think meet-and-greets are fundamentally stupid, then you're never not gonna think that.

After Stu, I liked John and George. Then I like Pete Best. Paul I found hard to get close to.

I hate small talk! I can't do it.

American life is based on a reassurance that we like one another but won't violate one another's privacies. This makes it a land of small talk.

Me at parties: 'Like, do you want to know the historical context of the prophet Jeremiah?'

I really love the combination of Israel and England. They are completely different. The British are very private and keep things to themselves, while Israelis aren't that way. In England, I couldn't make friends with people in the supermarket or people who work at my bank or post office, but in Israel I can, and I like that.

I am very bad at schmoozing, and I'm not overtly charming in social situations.