With the holiday season coming around, you will probably be spending time with an intergenerational group of people. Now, these may be people you have known your whole life, but it can still be easy to forget that these people have had a whole plethora of life experiences of which you can learn a lot from. While some of the older generation’s views or vocabulary can be out of date and sometimes difficult to listen to, there is so much value that can come out of a conversation with someone from a different generation. So instead of avoiding people, try to get the most out of conversations with people whose age range you usually do not have the opportunity to interact with. I can suggest a couple of conversation, starting with easy topics and getting more personal, which can help to foster an intentional conversation.
What kind of music did you listen to when you were growing up? What were the artists and at what point in your life do you associate with these artists? What is the most memorable album of your teenage years?
Even if you think the person that you are talking to has no relationship with music, there is a good chance that at least one song reminds them of their childhood. Not only do these questions about music require the person to critically think about their own life, making them more open to conversation, but you will also gain some music for your own collection. Shared music can aid in bridging the generational gap and create a unique connection with you and someone a lot older than you.
What was the most memorable historic event in your lifetime? What do you remember about specific historical markers? Where were you when ___ happened? How did it affect your life? Where have you seen significant change as a result of this event?
Talking about historical events with someone who lived through them, even if indirectly impacted, is such an interesting experience. You get to know such an intimate point of view that could not be transcribed in any history textbook. Not only do you learn about how these events were transcribed in the life of people that you know, but you can also gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the person you to whom you are conversing. Talking with someone about the major events in history gives you a greater context for their own beliefs, therefore making it easier to understand the foundation of their system of beliefs.
Where have you found passion in life? What makes something meaningful to you? What is the most valuable aspect of your life and why does this bring you such fulfillment? Where have you made sacrifices in your life as that you could continue with your passion?
As these questions are a lot more intimate than the other set of questions, they could maybe be introduced after the conversation is already flowing. These questions are definitely a lot more personal, that being said they are also questions that will allow for a truly great incite and advice for the lofty and difficult conversation about “life in general”. If the person that you are talking to trusts you enough to talk to you about their own intimate experiences and thought processes, you will not only gain wonderful advice but you have also gained a connection with a person with whom you might otherwise not have interacted.