Charlize Theron says being South African helps explain her bluntness about small talk

Charlize Theron has explained why people sometimes mistake her for being cold: she says she is not good at small talk and that her South African directness may be to blame.

Directness mistaken for coldness

In a recent interview, the Oscar-winning actress said,

“I’m not very good with small talk,”

and suggested that her straightforward manner can be read as aloof. “Sometimes when I walk on set and I’m that direct I think people take that as me being cold,” she added, while also describing herself as “a softy at heart.”

Emotional and affectionate with her children

Theron said people are often surprised to learn she is emotional and affectionate with her children because they expect her to be, in her words,

“a b****.”

South African bluntness and American small talk

She suggested her South African background may influence how she communicates, joking that Americans can be “kind of like squishy” because they are good at small talk. “And I’m like, ‘I’m here for the water!'” she said.

A local reaction

The IOL piece notes that South Africans are often seen as blunt compared with people from some other countries and offers a lighthearted take on national chat styles without adding new facts about Theron.

Source attribution

According to IOL, “IOL is one of South Africa’s leading news and information websites bringing millions of readers breaking news and updates on Politics, Current Affairs, Business, Lifestyle, Entertainment, Travel, Sport, Motoring and Technology.”