How does someone keep your attention?

Humor, intelligence, casual conversations that flow easily - yet the ability to have more serious conversation topics as well without someone getting their panties in a bunch. Two of my pet peeves in communication is redundancy and tedious small talk. I hate small talk therefore I can't do it well. If you ask me how I'm doing I'm not going to give a generic "Fine, how are you?" response. Repetition, the same thing over and over again irks me and is a dangerous territory.

they don't usually. Anybody wins my loyalty when I see them helping someone else w/o asking for shit in return, I always enjoy that

Pet me, throw me a ball and you got yourself a dog. Serious note? Common sense and something in common.

Be intelligent, thoughtful, and have a good sense of humor. I get disinterested in people that are... really concerned about one topic... like drive it into the ground in pursuit of intellectual conversation. I will tell you what I think but if I hate it, I'm going to start tuning you out intelligent or not.

I like people who are honest with themselves and others. I really like funny people as long as they aren't trying to be a clown or anything. And just are engaging and thoughtful when they speak.

Saying something along the lines of "Aren't fairies supposed to be nice?" http://i910.photobucket.com/albums/ac305/bjsisko/Colbert20For20Shame-1.gif