How to deal with a friend that can't hold a conversation?

Question

I've never been the social type and never really understood the rules governing social relationships very well. One day this complete stranger started talking to me and we started to become friends. I soon realized that she was even weirder and more socially awkward than me, but I was ok with this and I put up with it. She didn't really go into any emotional depth but I'm not sure if most friends do. The only thing we do together is skate, which is fun and all. The annoying thing is her conversation style. She talks in increments of 1-3 sentences before changing the subject. It almost always seems like everything she says is intended as a conversation starter, and not an actual reply to what we were talking about. Here, I'll type up a typical conversation:
 
Me: Hey, how's it going.
 Her: I'm doing fine, kinda tired, and you.
 Me: I get what you mean, it feels like summer already started.
 Her: I'm watching ant farm.
 Me: Cool, my mom was channel surfing a while ago and I noticed that was on, which episode.
 Her: I don't know. I'm tired.
 Me: Yeah, summer you know.
 Her: I'm going to watch Family Feud.
 Me: Cool.
 Her: How are you?
 Me: Fine, I was just reading webcomics. I think I told you about Homestuck.
 Her: I don't really like webcomics. Hey, Jeopardy is on.
 
This goes on for a good 20 minutes or so until one of us hangs up, logs off, or does something in real life to end the conversation. I've always had some trouble talking to people but lately I've come to suspect this isn't normal behavior. I try to talk about what I want but she always changes the subject back to TV, her being tired, or some other shallow small talk subject we spend 20 seconds on before she starts over. We never get anywhere and our friendship doesn't progress. Now here's the biggest part. She sees me as a best friends while I have other better friends. Her family loves me so much that they want to take me on vacation with them and they'll pay for me. I feel obliged to keep this friendship going, even though I either want more depth or something out of this friendship or to just end it because it's annoying me.

Integrity · Accepted Answer

PHEWWW

So really...

After all That...

What is Your Question...???

Billybob · Answer

i have friends like that who respond to stuff the way she does. my method is to just ignore the tv changes as much as possible. Normally, people only say them when they have no response, but i think maybe she is just trying to keep you updated with what she is doing currently (as if you're there or something). to try and get a conversation out of her try saying something eventful that you did recently instead of responding to her regular stuff. maybe ask her some questions such as "what have you been up to lately" "hows ____ going?" or some other question that is slightly relevant at the time. I understand its hard when your not very socially outgoing, but just try and go with it. Ive realized that when you go on vacation with friends it seems much easier to bond better with them because its not where either of you normally are. GoOd LuCk!!!

BtW aWeSoMe ChOiCe In WeBcOmIcS ;o) HoNk HoNk

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How to deal with a friend that can't hold a conversation?

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