Actually two of the staff weren't involved. One had his head riveted to his computer. The other went into his office, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like football.
I realised that "handbags" is the stuff of convivial conversations for some people, conversations that are the surface of a relationship. They test the ground and establish a bond that can be used to support further exploration. Light chat, verbal fencing and laughter are key - they spell the engagement of people towards a shared subject.
This is just a few steps removed from engagement over something personally meaningful. Conversations such as these can shift towards important exchanges between people; they are the bedrock of youth work. If the office conversation stays with handbags, the work does not get done and people do not get to know each other. Similarly, in good youth work, the conversation shifts from surface to depth. Youth workers have a purpose behind the convivial conversation - they intend to support the growth and development of the young person. The young person gains from the process.
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