This is the conversational asshole I invite you to be. To move from small talk to asking a serious question, and back to making silly jokes. To create little games and ask others to join without sharing the rules. To disclose strange parts of yourself and hide the ones most routinely shared. I invite you to become more playful in how you approach others. I do so not because I’m oblivious to the safety afforded by norms; maybe you will end up confusing or offending someone. And yes, you have to take the risk of them not getting it, or not getting you. It might just be worth it, because if they do get it, then you’ll know you’re not alone.

— Idil Çakmur

Full essay here.