Issue #82: A fun (and easy!) party trick

I recently did this, and it was a hit.

Hi! It’s Aja, here to tell you about a fun tip as we get into prime party season.

If you know me, you know I firmly believe you can start a great conversation no matter whom you’re with. I recently used a new trick to get people talking at a party… and it really worked.

How to do it:

Write a bunch of interesting questions on name-tags (“What age do you feel?” “What’s your favorite natural talent?”) When your guests walk in the front door, tell them to choose one based on how bold they’re feeling: Silver questions are tame; gold a little less so; red risqué. (Not surprisingly, Aliza went straight for a red one.)

This gives your guests a built-in question to both ask and answer as they mingle — making it easier to introduce themselves to new people and bridge silences if and when they (inevitably) arise.

Need some inspiration?

Here are the questions I used:

Silver (the tamest):

• Would you let your partner use your toothbrush?

• What age do you feel, and why?

• What was your best Halloween costume?

• Do you remember faces or names?

• What’s the weirdest job you’ve ever had?

• What natural talent do you wish you had?

Gold (a lil’ spicier):

• What’s the last white lie you told?

• What’s the last trivial fight you had?

• What’s something you’ve lied about liking?

• What are you secretly snobby about?

• What’s your favorite subreddit?

• What’s a necessary evil?

Red (the riskiest):

• What’s the naughtiest thing you did as a teenager?

• Have you ever shoplifted, and if so what?

• When was the first time you saw porn?

• What’s the riskiest place you’ve ever hooked up?

• Who’s your celebrity hall pass?

• Would you rather have your search history or credit card statements made public?

Before you go…

Would you do this? What’s your favorite way to spice up a party?¹

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In case you missed it:

• 8 perfect books to give this season

• I didn’t find “my people” in college

• Enthusiasm is never uncool

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1. I also loveee limbo.

Aliza Sir

, you have to help me make sure limbo happens at my wedding. (Aliza: Duh!)