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避免尷尬沉默的五個話題【洛城篇】(圖文來源：CNN GO)

  
"Was that an earthquake or are you just pleased to see me?"

1. Traffic
In the car culture of L.A., it's all about traffic -- getting stuck in it, avoiding it, how no one knows how to drive in the rain. When the 405 was closed for one weekend in July 2011, the ensuing "Carmageddon" was all anyone could talk about.

Related: finding street parking. As in, "I finally found a spot, but I can only park there for eight minutes after 7 p.m. on a Tuesday."

2. Cars
Angelenos spend a lot of time in their cars; they're defined by what they drive.

Whether they drive a luxury car or the $500 beater they bought 10 years ago, they've got something to say about what they're driving now and hope to be driving someday -- as well as the obscene amount of money they've had to shell out for auto repairs.

3. Real estate
Whether you live at the beach, in West L.A. or the Valley, you'll invariably end up talking about how much you like living at the beach, in West L.A. or the Valley, and how long it takes to get from your place to the beach, West L.A. or the Valley. (See also: Traffic.)

4. Celebrity sightings
You don't need a map to stars' homes to spot a celebrity in Los Angeles.

Yet no matter how common an occurrence it is, even the most jaded resident can't resist recounting how they stood behind Ryan Reynolds ordering a double espresso at Starbucks (and how much shorter he looks in person).

5. Earthquakes
People in Los Angeles are used to living with earthquakes, and have the stories to prove it.

Though they'll never downplay how serious "The Big One" could be, when an earthquake does occur, conversations tend to be matter-of-fact rather than fearful.

"That felt like a five. Don't you think it was at least a five?"