![]() Allowing yourself a time-out can be precisely what you need in order to recharge before going from one new conversation to another, especially if the gathering you’re attending is filled with your significant other’s relatives or people you don’t know well. ![]() Sometimes it’s not about starting a conversation but getting a break from one. Have you had any interesting dreams lately? Do you have a favorite band or musical artist?ġ3. You’ll likely get a lot of bang for your buck with that one. Or ask about trends on TikTok or Instagram. Stick to interests, such as what they do after school (band, robotics, sports). Ask teens about what subjects interest them. “They don’t know, and they shouldn’t know.” Once the ice melts, you can then ask about their favorite sport, teacher or movie, or what they like to do with their friends.īut don’t ask children what they want to be when they grow up. Inviting them to do a craft can keep their hands busy - and give the adults something to ask them about, Wagner says. And at their age, at least for most, a year is a mighty long time to remember an exchange they may have had with you at a previous gathering. Youngsters can be shy even at family get-togethers, especially around people they don’t know. Are you facing any challenges these days? What’s a delicious meal you’ve had recently?ġ1. Has anything big happened in your life since we last saw each other?ġ0. “A very important part of being at a reunion is catching up with people and finding out what they’re doing,” says 84-year-old Edith Wagner, editor of Reunions magazine. Is news of a job change or work promotion traveling through the familial or friend grapevine? Extend your congratulations and express interest in learning more about what’s going on in the lives of others. Same goes for extended family: At the last family gathering or family reunion, did a niece tell you about a new relationship or did a cousin mention a challenge they were facing? If so, ask how things turned out. Try to remember what was going on in their lives the last time you saw them and follow up. ![]() What was one of the best days of your life? Pick up where you left offīecause of COVID-19, you may see some friends for the first time in quite a while. Do you have a favorite memory of the two of us?ħ. What do you remember about the place where you grew up?ĥ. For older adults, a good place to start reminiscing may be to say, “Tell me about a time…” Throw out a “Remember when…” and see how many people chime in they can help fill in details you didn’t know or may have forgotten. If you’re meeting someone new, you may have fun tales of people you know in common. What motivates you? Share memoriesĮvery family or longtime friendship has favorite stories that go way back. Where was the last place you went on vacation?ģ. What kind of music do you like to listen to?Ģ. ![]() She adds that you may discover common ground as you listen, which then can kick off another set of questions. “Most people love to talk about themselves,” says novelist Marie Bostwick, 60, a former event planner. If you’re at a family gathering, ask people where they fit in the family tree, or about the neighborhood they live in, or their favorite hobbies. Whether you’re going to a family barbecue, a reunion that lasts the weekend or a friend’s party, here are several conversation starters to set you at ease and to get the most out of your interactions. Also skip negative family or social circle gossip. (“But those are the most popular topics,” she adds with a laugh, because they’re what “many people enjoy discussing and debating.”) “You should always stay away from politics, religion and money,” says Diane Gottsman, owner of the Protocol School of Texas and a leading etiquette expert. Some subjects are more likely to bring conflict. Draft some open-ended questions that can work with family members of any age, such as “How are you spending your summer?” or “What’s been keeping you busy?” Awkward moments are inevitable when trying to break the ice with those you’ve just met, friends and relatives you haven’t seen in a while or even sometimes with people you know. If you’re at a party with friends or family, don’t expect the conversation to always be effortless. Making small talk and guiding the conversation takes some skill and thought. It’s the season for gatherings: lots of food, maybe a road trip, seeing friends and relatives - and perhaps some anxiety over how you’ll engage in conversation. ![]()
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