steel_ag
8th November 2012, 06:43 PM
Source: http://www.authoritydirectory.com/articles/20-Questions-to-Stimulate-Conversation-90.html
As you gain experience in conversation and the questions which come up during conversation, you begin to realize that there are really some great questions for getting a conversation going and keeping them flowing along in order to get to know a person better. Once you gain that understanding you can really start to have some fun with using different questions during conversation.
So what are the characteristics of a really good conversation question?
· Ask a question that allows for an easy answer.
· It should not be a question which could be interpreted as offensive.
· It should be one that is open to everyone.
· People should not feel they will be judged by their responses.
Take note of that last point because it is an important. People in general are more reluctant to open up if they feel their responses will be judged. What that means is you need to be aware of timing, tone and the state of the conversation when posing a question to keep it non-threatening.
There are questions which fit the bill and allow you to get to know the personalities of other while still allowing them to feel comfortable with the conversation. They are good to use for parties and gatherings while mingling and having fun while trying to get to someone a little better.
This is not something you want to turn into an interrogation by pulling out your list of questions and just listening for the answers. Be familiar with the questions and just insert them into conversation. Treat it like a modified version of the old game “Twenty Questions” and see where the answers lead your conversations.
Listen to the answers and comment, add your own answers and ask related questions to keep the conversation flowing naturally. Most of all just have fun with it and enjoy the conversation.
· If there were one celebrity that you could be the parent of, who would that be and why?
· If there were one person you could resurrect, who would that be and why?
· What is the last thing you experienced buyer’s remorse with?
· What would you do if you were God for just one day?
· If there were one truth you could know what would it be?
· Do you think it is worse to have expectations that are too high or have no expectations at all?
· Is there a way to know when you’re in love?
· If you had to list three things you regret not learning to do, what would they be?
· What three adjectives would your friends use to describe you?
· If you were to have an ideal day, what would it be?
· Which invention or innovation has been the most important during your lifetime?
· Is there any topic that is too serious to be joked about?
· What would your perfect romantic evening be?
· If you got shipwrecked on deserted island, which single person would you want with you?
· If you could ask any three people any three questions you wanted and be guaranteed an honest response, whom would you question and what would you ask them?
· What one thing would you like to be remembered for?
· What would you do if you could be invisible for one day?
· What would you do if you saw someone else shoplifting?
· Is there something that you would give your life for willingly?
· If you had the chance to go back and re-live any day of your life, what day would it be and why?
Questions like these should not offend others as they are light hearted in nature, but they still address some of the issues which will allow you to get to know someone. You should keep in mind that the more open you are willing to be with the others in the conversation the more likely they will be open with you and provide honest answers. You should be prepared to offer your own answers during the conversation.
As you gain experience in conversation and the questions which come up during conversation, you begin to realize that there are really some great questions for getting a conversation going and keeping them flowing along in order to get to know a person better. Once you gain that understanding you can really start to have some fun with using different questions during conversation.
So what are the characteristics of a really good conversation question?
· Ask a question that allows for an easy answer.
· It should not be a question which could be interpreted as offensive.
· It should be one that is open to everyone.
· People should not feel they will be judged by their responses.
Take note of that last point because it is an important. People in general are more reluctant to open up if they feel their responses will be judged. What that means is you need to be aware of timing, tone and the state of the conversation when posing a question to keep it non-threatening.
There are questions which fit the bill and allow you to get to know the personalities of other while still allowing them to feel comfortable with the conversation. They are good to use for parties and gatherings while mingling and having fun while trying to get to someone a little better.
This is not something you want to turn into an interrogation by pulling out your list of questions and just listening for the answers. Be familiar with the questions and just insert them into conversation. Treat it like a modified version of the old game “Twenty Questions” and see where the answers lead your conversations.
Listen to the answers and comment, add your own answers and ask related questions to keep the conversation flowing naturally. Most of all just have fun with it and enjoy the conversation.
· If there were one celebrity that you could be the parent of, who would that be and why?
· If there were one person you could resurrect, who would that be and why?
· What is the last thing you experienced buyer’s remorse with?
· What would you do if you were God for just one day?
· If there were one truth you could know what would it be?
· Do you think it is worse to have expectations that are too high or have no expectations at all?
· Is there a way to know when you’re in love?
· If you had to list three things you regret not learning to do, what would they be?
· What three adjectives would your friends use to describe you?
· If you were to have an ideal day, what would it be?
· Which invention or innovation has been the most important during your lifetime?
· Is there any topic that is too serious to be joked about?
· What would your perfect romantic evening be?
· If you got shipwrecked on deserted island, which single person would you want with you?
· If you could ask any three people any three questions you wanted and be guaranteed an honest response, whom would you question and what would you ask them?
· What one thing would you like to be remembered for?
· What would you do if you could be invisible for one day?
· What would you do if you saw someone else shoplifting?
· Is there something that you would give your life for willingly?
· If you had the chance to go back and re-live any day of your life, what day would it be and why?
Questions like these should not offend others as they are light hearted in nature, but they still address some of the issues which will allow you to get to know someone. You should keep in mind that the more open you are willing to be with the others in the conversation the more likely they will be open with you and provide honest answers. You should be prepared to offer your own answers during the conversation.