> the worse part remains the absence of truly genuine conversation with others This is probably my least favorite part about stuttering too. For example: when my brother leaves to go to work, he'll say something like: "I'll be back at 5, see you guys later". Saying "bye" would by second nature to probably anybody; but to me, saying good-bye has to be in the forefront of my mind. I have to consciously address his leaving. In the time it took you to read that, I have said "Ok". Now that I have a solid flow of air I would usually follow that up with "Bye". Or, something like that.