I can not chit chat any more - others?

Has anyone else post-40 found their tolerance for small talk plummeting?

I’ve never been much for surface -level conversation but I could usually pony up for an evening, like if my spouse had a professional event or an extended family thing.

But now - man, I just cannot. I’d rather tolerate silence than endure chitty chat. Either we find something to talk about in the first couple minutes or I’m finding the first excuse to get away, and possibly find a dark corner to hang out in. Age thing?