21 questions, Never Have I Ever, Two Truths and a Lie. We all need a reason to talk, but many, if not all of us, lack the ability to recall interesting questions or conversation starters on the spot. And nobody likes an ice breaker.
Again, like many, I have too often felt the droll of strained conversation, the compulsion to look down at my phone and the desire to leave the room and do literally anything else. Due to this, I have spent time over the past few years thinking my way out of these situations, or rather, thinking my way into better conversations.
As I delve deeper into my philosophical major, I find my conversations often follow the same suit. The weather is lovely to talk about, sure, but we can do better.
So, I’m here for you, and I’m here for your varying curiosities in a presentation of various random thoughts turned specific and inspiring conversation starters.
1. Top 3 resurfacing thoughts in your head this week?
Aka, “what’s been on your mind?”
In a typical week, I will have three resurfacing thoughts, for example, the main few this week were, “Is math even real?” And “what’s the craziest thing I can eat in State College…” You’d be surprised how layered into conversation a simple thought can get you.
Pro tip: Write stuff down.
2. Something you’ve been craving lately?
On the topic of food, physical or emotional, this question can get you as far as you’d like: perhaps to a restaurant, an apartment or in deep conversation.
3. Last thing you gave advice on?
Maybe they need to hear it too.
4. Does the way you dress affect the way you act?
Equally stylistic and contemplative, let’s dive into the effects of daily wear on your confidence, ego and the way in which you treat others.
5. Here’s a weird category of things, which is your weakness?
Forgetting things, losing things, remembering names, connecting dots and being clumsy. How many other categories can you come up with?
6. Do personality and looks carry equal weight?
Saucy. But many are keen to share their thoughts on this. Extra points if you make it a debate.
7. Something you discovered that works really well for your body?
Maybe it’s eating healthy, going to the gym or you finally discovered that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” propaganda isn’t really propaganda after all…
8. One thing you’ve been super into lately?
People, places, foods, TV shows, things; anything is fair game.
9. What was the last omen you experienced?
Like a black cat crossing your path, an omen is anything you regard as more than a coincidence in relation to another event in your life.
10. Do you control the way people make you feel?
How deeply do you think about the way you experience people, and the way people experience you? Can you converse to discover new thoughts on this topic?
11. Something you’re innately good at?
Maybe it’s English, math or remembering faces over names…
12. Something you’ll never improve at?
Similar to question five, what’s something you’ve accepted as a mortal fault? Maybe it’s your anxiety, or something as simple as knowing your left from your right. (Heh, relatable… right…?)
13. What do you think the feeling of love is made up of?
Recently, in my creative writing class, we were going over our poetry submissions, and I was faced with the wall of realization that everyone wants to talk about love. We all crave it and feel longing without it. So talk about it, connect on it, expose your loneliness and start to feel love without actually being in it.
14. Your top three best traits?
Just as everyone wants to talk about love, everyone loves to talk about themselves.
15. One life changing moment?
This question can get as deep as a death in the family or as quick as something someone once said to you, like “make your bed every morning.”
16. One of your childhood fears?
Try to think of the kookiest one you had. If you haven’t gotten over it already, then perhaps go on an adventure to tackle that.
17. A double standard that’s your #1 double opp?
For me, right now, I find the expectation of women being less valued for sleeping around blasphemous. A standard man has standards of not wanting to date a woman who ‘gives it up’ on the first date. Why should a woman want to date a man who just as easily and not to mention more commonly, ‘gives it up?’
While double standards typically relate to men and women, you can also take this question in the direction of class expectations and different cultures.
18. If you could perform an experiment on human nature, what would it be?
Personally, I’m putting babies in a room and seeing if they can learn to speak their own language.
19. You get to commit one heinous act a day, what was it today?
Let all your inner anger fly out with this one, maybe even connect with a new partner in crime.
20. Can you converse your way out of a conflict or do you argue?
Before you ask the last question, maybe ask this one first…
21. What’s something you’re unwilling to negotiate on?
Maybe it’s the way you are treated or what you buy from the grocery store. Be warned, this conversation can easily get heated.