Stimulating conversations

I think I've found the solution to awkward social situations where you don't really know what to talk about: cheese.

Seriously. I've used it many times, and you can actually go off on some great tangents and learn things about people, hence leading to perhaps more "relevant" topics. But that part doesn't really matter, right? [edit: note sarcasm]

Personally, I love cheese; I used to be lactose intolerant so I can really appreciate it now. There are so many varieties, flavours, textures, methods of consumption (fondue, on a cracker, straight up, in a sandwich, on pizza, etc.)...the only cheese I've eaten that I truly do not enjoy is blue cheese. I've given it a fair shot on a number of occasions (even some Gouda shot through with blue cheese) and I always end up wildly searching for the nearest beverage or edible foodstuff. Blech. I think the most interesting kind I've had was Gjetost, which is a brown caramel-ish goat cheese. Not unpleasant, but definitely a unique flavour.

And that's my cheese spiel for the evening.