What is necessary in your country or state for being culturally literate?

I have always had difficulty in social situations. Mostly because I’m an extreme introvert. But I have made a few attempts – most unsuccessfully – to develop enough knowledge in a few topics that seem necessary to carry on basic conversations with people I meet.

For example, saying you don’t like sports here in the Boston area is like saying “I am a sociopath, and am likely a threat to everyone you love” (or at least that’s how it feels). In order to be able to get through the most basic, human exchanges lately, you would have needed to know that the Red Sox made it to the world series, the world series is a thing, they were playing the Cardinals, they are from St. Louis, etc.

Anyway, what are some basic things that are helpful to know so that you can get through the most simple exchanges with people in your community?

Politics, the bible, music, the weather, movies, tv shows, sports?