I started this post a year ago, then lost interest after I couldn’t come up with more than five. This is a list of questions to ask someone you don’t know that well, but have to spend some time with. (Say a date, collegiate dinner, stuff like that.) The list is based on the assumption that most conversations between people that don’t know each other will devolve into a series of irrelevant questions that stay well within the ‘safe’ zone. Rather than talk about the weather, I made a list and hope to use it soon.
I call this em “So” Questions because you can ask them at any time just by adding the word “So” in front of them.
- Do you like your life right now?
- If you could change any relationship you have with anyone, would you? Why?
- Do you have a favorite moment, day, week, or year of your life?
- What is your favorite mystery?
- What is one question you wish you knew the answer to?
- What would your perfect day be?
- Given what you’ve lived so far in life, what, realistically, is your ideal life? Your ‘best-case scenario’?
- What is your worst-case scenario?
- How well does the person that knows you best actually know you?
- How well does your average friend know you or know about you?
I tried coming up with more questions, but I found myself unable to come up with something suitable. A good question should allow for an open response, probe for conclusions that the person has never thought about, and yet seem non-invasive.
I much prefer asking funny sounding questions.
So:
1. So, is that your real hair?
2. So, does the carpet match the plaques on the wall?
3. So, what would you be willing to take off for 5/10/20/(insert amount in your wallet) bucks?
4. So, would you be relieved if I said I didn’t have the clap?
5. So, how do you respond to disappointment? (best used following 4)