So what, exactly, is Bigger Small Talk?

I've had that question a couple of times since I came up with that title and I'm not really sure there is a pat answer.

My response has been, "what does it mean to you?" which usually starts another conversation, which, I guess, is my intention. I think if we can ask better questions, we will get better answers.

One of the best questions I've heard recently is Suzanne Whang's "What's good?" as a greeting instead of the standard, "How are you?" or "Whuzzup?" or some of the other things we just automatically say and don't really expect an answer.

What are some questions you've heard or asked that have led to more meaningful conversations? What have you learned from those conversations? How have those conversations affected your relationships at work and at home? To me, that's the meaning of bigger small talk.

What does Bigger Small Talk mean to you?