11 Interesting Topics to Talk About with Anyone By Joshua Uebergang

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Any idiot can ramble on about in conversation and bore the bejesus out of their companions, and it is a legitimate fear for many that this embarrassing turn of events may happen to them at some point. We've all been there, stuck in conversation, trying to dig out of it by throwing everything we can think of out there. The best advice, however, is to simply find an interesting way to broach everyday questions. Here are 11 such questions. 1. Tell me about the most interesting person you've ever met. Be careful with this though, as it tends to put your conversation partner on the spot, or make them feel uncomfortable. Try to bring this up as casually as possible. 2. If you could take a week and travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? This question is a fun way to both converse and fantasize at the same time. Your conversation partner will likely enjoy this question as it lets them escape their life for a brief time. 3. What is the one truly defining moment of your life so far? This question offers your partner a chance to reflect on their triumphs and share their moments of glory with you. 4. What is the most spontaneous thing you've done lately? Try to avoid asking this question if your partner seems in no way spontaneous. But chances are, if your conversation partner is spontaneous, they will be glad to share their latest adventure with you. 5. Who has influenced you the most? This question offers your conversation partner an opportunity to share with you the person that has meant the most to them in their life. This makes for a very interesting topic in conversation. 6. What is the one thing you most want to do? Though similar to question #2, the crucial difference is that your conversation partner's answer won't be restricted to places to travel to, thus helping expand the discussion. 7. What is your best inherited quality? This is a great question to use to ask about someone's family in a unique and specific way. 8. Name your favorite thinker. Most interesting people will have a favorite thinker or two, someone whose work they look to for inspiration. The conversation will lead to a deep topic people value. 9. Who is your favorite historical figure? This is a fun (and usually harmless) way to discuss contentious topics, and is a great way to reveal your conversation partner's interest in academic matters. Effective conversation skills balances seriousness and fun. 10. Have you been to any good musical performances lately? This is a much better question than "what type of music do you like" because most people respond "a little of everything." The answer to this question requires specifics, and also opens up questions about the performance. 11. What type of vacation do you prefer? Are you a relaxer or an explorer? This is one of those questions that does double duty, as it both encourages your partner to fantasize about a dream vacation, but also reveals what type of personality they have.