[Such details were superfluous and gave little away of what he was really about. They were good for attaching meaning to people, to be able to start conversation and give the illusion that one gave a shit. Everyone liked being on a first name basis with everyone else after all.]

So were you an orphan or something? Wife and kids?

[Ugh, cultural assumptions were always tedious. He put on a brave face and shrugged his shoulders, taking another sip of his beer.]

I can cook, and I do it because I have to. There are some skills that are impressed upon an only child early.