Haven't read M. Andreessen's guide to personal productivity yet ? Take a look.
I'm using a strategy I learned about while reading it and have found very helpful: structured procrastination.
I'm meant to be doing a few other important things right now, but want to write about conversation topics, so here we are.
Now, most people are unlike David McMillan, co-owner of restaurants Joe Beef and Liverpool House in Montreal, and come to dinners/meetings/plans without anecdotes prepared and with their phones on.
This note about Mr. McMillan is taken from a 30 second clip in the Montreal episode of ‘Parts Unknown’ and I hope it's still true. If not, my apologies.
So the least we, as peasants of conversation, can do is arrive with some mildly interesting conversation topics/starters from which, hopefully, delightful conversation will blossom.
Below is a list of my favorites. Some are questions that have been asked of me, and some I do my best to ask others, and some I have found while browsing Twitter. Some are more suited for 1:1 conversations than group conversations, and vice versa. But don't play by my rules, and decide for yourself.
What are your 3 favorite smells? Why?
What is a book that, once picked up, is impossible to put down?
What are your thoughts on veganism?
Are you a robe person? Borrowed from @freialobo's twitter via @clairejlew
How far ahead do you plan?
How much do you like that? (yes, you get to refer to literally anything happening in the moment for this)
Do you prefer frozen or room temperature candy?
What makes you happy?
Who played the best concert you've been to?
Did you play an instrument growing up that was not the piano?
What is something your parents forced you to do, and you hated at first, but have now grown to love?
What is your least favorite thing to cook?
What is your favorite thing about yourself? And least?
What is something that, as a kid, you had no idea you were good at, but have now realized is an incredible skill?
Where did you experience the best customer experience of your life?
What are your pet peeves?
Would you rather be a rich person in the 15th century or a poor person today?
What made you laugh the hardest in the last week?
What are your biggest losses? **Easier to use this midway through a conversation than opening with it!
What's your favorite family tradition?
I hope to add to this list in the future, but now I guess I should go back to my important things .
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