Loveee to take a question on tour! Also, "What did your parents almost name you?" is a great one. (Mine could've been Melody, which makes me shudder just thinking about it -- it's so not me.) --MF
This is me!!! We live in a small town and we own a brewery/bar so I’m often sitting at the bar next to someone who I’ve never met. My favorite around Halloween is “have you seen a ghost” or “is there a ghost in your house” and you’d be AMAZED at how many people have and do! I hate small talk.
We also got chatting about our virginity loss stories at a holiday party once and it was amazing. Highly recommend just going for the deep cuts with people.
Oooh, I'd love to stand next to you at a holiday party — there is soooo much to dig into when you run such an interesting and dynamic business! Like "What's one thing you'd never order at a bar now that you own one?", "Tell me about the best night this place has ever had," and "What do you wish fewer people knew about [brewing, alcohol, beer, etc.]?"
Wait these are incredible. Next time I'm having dinner with Sam and don't have a lot of gas in the tank I'm going to ask him the Chelonion one — pretty sure he could monologue for an hour.
I have found that asking someone if they would go on a safari for vacation to be a fun icebreaker. The answers have been polarizing and revealing about the person (how adventurous or non-adventurous they are). Inevitably the answers get a conversation going!
I actually do this with my husband, because there is a question that we both feel there is an ~obvious~ answer to, but we strongly disagree on what is the correct answer. It always gets people talking! Here it is: If you had to choose between being a City Bus Driver or a Hotel Housekeeper, which would you choose?
What questions have you enjoyed the most taking on tour? Looking for a surefire winner for attempting a tour with my wife this month.
Here's another conversation starter (aka "banter beginner," based on the idea I liked from Catherine Price that "banter" sounds more fun than "conversation"): What's one popular food/ingredient that you'd be happy to wipe from the face of the planet?
A recent one that's been fun is "What age do you *feel*, and why?" I also wrote "When does a walk turn into a hike?" after seeing a TikTok about it; could be a good debate.
Ooooh I LOVE these. Except for one! One of these actually has a correct answer.
Audiobooks are real books, and it’s not up for debate. Asking whether audiobooks are real books is honestly the same as asking whether Braille books are real books, which I think most people would readily recognize is a rather messed up question to ask. In both cases, these forms of books are the only way that many disabled people (including myself) can read.
Please know that I’m not trying to shame you! I don’t believe in shame as a catalyst for change, and in my college years (when I was an English major and not yet disabled), I would have entertained this question and possibly even said no (!). I am just trying to gently but firmly educate you and other potential readers, like I would educate my past self if I could go back in time.
Thank you for reading and considering ❤️ I’m going to dinner now and I can’t wait to ask my partner what year he would want to relive
You are SO right, Ariana — thank you for very kindly sharing that perspective! I've removed that question from the post and will make sure I'm conscious of this going forward. Thank you again ♥️
I wish I could subtly tattoo a few of these onto my wrist
Maybe we need to spin up some phone wallpapers...
ok, wow... onto something...
Are you team cake, or team pie? It gets people RILED UP! #teamcake4ever
Very timely for the season too!! I am verrrry #teampie though
Team Ice cream over here!
Love these! Going to a neighborhood meet up tonight and you just saved me hearing about how long everyone has been in the area ad infinitum.
Yesss! How did the meetup go?
Loveee to take a question on tour! Also, "What did your parents almost name you?" is a great one. (Mine could've been Melody, which makes me shudder just thinking about it -- it's so not me.) --MF
Even though we've never met IRL, I feel like I know you and *cannot* picture you as a Melody. You're definitely a Melinda!
This is me!!! We live in a small town and we own a brewery/bar so I’m often sitting at the bar next to someone who I’ve never met. My favorite around Halloween is “have you seen a ghost” or “is there a ghost in your house” and you’d be AMAZED at how many people have and do! I hate small talk.
We also got chatting about our virginity loss stories at a holiday party once and it was amazing. Highly recommend just going for the deep cuts with people.
Oooh, I'd love to stand next to you at a holiday party — there is soooo much to dig into when you run such an interesting and dynamic business! Like "What's one thing you'd never order at a bar now that you own one?", "Tell me about the best night this place has ever had," and "What do you wish fewer people knew about [brewing, alcohol, beer, etc.]?"
"What's your Big Why?"
"What's your favorite Chelonion?"
"What do you think it's like in the astral plane?"
Wait these are incredible. Next time I'm having dinner with Sam and don't have a lot of gas in the tank I'm going to ask him the Chelonion one — pretty sure he could monologue for an hour.
I have found that asking someone if they would go on a safari for vacation to be a fun icebreaker. The answers have been polarizing and revealing about the person (how adventurous or non-adventurous they are). Inevitably the answers get a conversation going!
Ooh, that’s a great one!
These are great! My most reliable standby is "what is something you've enjoyed recently?"
Nathaniel, that's brilliant! Low-pressure, person- and age-agnostic, and gets people talking about things that make them feel good.
I was just thinking about something like this! Thanks for sharing 👍
You are very welcome, Matt. Thanks for reading :)
I actually do this with my husband, because there is a question that we both feel there is an ~obvious~ answer to, but we strongly disagree on what is the correct answer. It always gets people talking! Here it is: If you had to choose between being a City Bus Driver or a Hotel Housekeeper, which would you choose?
The best questions inspire strong opposing answers!!
Taking your question of the month “on a tour” is genius!
Thank you, Maddie! Highly recommend once you find one you like.
What questions have you enjoyed the most taking on tour? Looking for a surefire winner for attempting a tour with my wife this month.
Here's another conversation starter (aka "banter beginner," based on the idea I liked from Catherine Price that "banter" sounds more fun than "conversation"): What's one popular food/ingredient that you'd be happy to wipe from the face of the planet?
Olives!!
Good one! What about your favorite question you've taken on tour? I'm not asking for "olive" them. Just one.
A recent one that's been fun is "What age do you *feel*, and why?" I also wrote "When does a walk turn into a hike?" after seeing a TikTok about it; could be a good debate.
Love these! And I like the idea of incorporating your partner into it. @aliza you may see these topics in Slack next week 😅
Hah! Katie might have beat you to it...
Ooooh I LOVE these. Except for one! One of these actually has a correct answer.
Audiobooks are real books, and it’s not up for debate. Asking whether audiobooks are real books is honestly the same as asking whether Braille books are real books, which I think most people would readily recognize is a rather messed up question to ask. In both cases, these forms of books are the only way that many disabled people (including myself) can read.
Please know that I’m not trying to shame you! I don’t believe in shame as a catalyst for change, and in my college years (when I was an English major and not yet disabled), I would have entertained this question and possibly even said no (!). I am just trying to gently but firmly educate you and other potential readers, like I would educate my past self if I could go back in time.
Thank you for reading and considering ❤️ I’m going to dinner now and I can’t wait to ask my partner what year he would want to relive
You are SO right, Ariana — thank you for very kindly sharing that perspective! I've removed that question from the post and will make sure I'm conscious of this going forward. Thank you again ♥️
I appreciate you! Thank you for listening and adjusting ❤️ and for the rest of these amazing questions