The analysis of talk is important for Goffman's examination of the self in face-to-face interaction. Here I suggest that his target is best described as being our ritual talk. Goffman defined ritual in two ways: as the smooth running of everyday encounters and as the honouring of the selves who people them. He suggested that ritual talk is structured by both prevailing rules of social interaction and by the sequential organization of talk. However, on occasion he hinted that this account is too simple. I agree, and suggest ways of furthering his investigations.