Reply To: How do you address people of the opposite sex?

Really, it is unwise to be rude and not respond to someone who is small-talking you. You can’t even begin to explain it to someone who is not Jewish or even just not Frum and expect them to have a positive view of frumkeit. But you yourself can control the small talk. However, having said that, office politics may make it a necessity. If your boss senses that you are stand-offish and won’t even engage in small talk, that can convey the impression that you are not a “team player.” right or wrong, it could have a negative impact.