By Erica Hoffman
We all know family gatherings can sometimes be a little awkward. After the “Where are you working now?” And “Are you dating anyone special?” questions have been exhausted, and there are still two hours until the turkey is ready, fear not!
I have compiled a list of neutral conversation starters that will bring you from appetizers to dessert without fear of venturing into unsavory topics that could alienate or sever any family ties. I think we can all agree it is the ultimate family gathering goal.
So if there is a lull in the conversation, or some family begins to quarrel, I invite you to use these tried and true relatively inoffensive conversation starters. You keep the paper under your seat, write them down on cards to use as a cheat sheet, or put them on individual pieces of paper and pass around a hat (bowl, serving dish, pillowcase, etc.) and let everyone pick.
So, enjoy these happy conversation starters, consider this my gift to you.
- What’s your favorite number? Why?
- What’s your favorite way to waste time?
- If you had theme music, what song would it be? Why?
- What were you really into when you were a kid?
- What is the strangest dream you have ever had?
- Where is the most beautiful place you have been?
- How often do you stay up past 3 am?
- Which is more important, having a great car or a great house? Why?
- If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?
- What word or saying from the past do you think should come back?
- How often do you curse? What is your favorite curse word?
- What smell brings back great memories?
- What weird or useless talent do you have?
- What was the best birthday wish or gift you’ve ever received?
- What’s the best show currently on TV, Netflix, Hulu, Prime?
- If you could bring back one TV show that was canceled, which one would you bring back?
- What was the last movie you watched? How was it?
- What will be the future of TV shows?
- Who was the first band or musician you were really into? Do you still like them?
- What will phones be like in 10 years?
- Which app seemed like magic the first time you used it?
- How do you feel if you accidentally leave your phone at home?
- Would you eat at a restaurant that was really dirty if the food was excellent?
- What was the most overhyped place you’ve traveled to?
- What is your favorite piece of technology that you own?
- If you could learn any language, what would it be?
- If you could pick up any instrument and play it, what would it be?
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
- If you could be born in any decade/century, when would it be?
- If you could be a fly on the wall in any room, what room would you be in and why?
- Who was your favorite Little Rascal?
- What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid?
- Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, or Sprouts?
- If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it does it make a sound?
- What are your thoughts on the length of CVS receipts?
- Pinball or ski ball?
- Wawa, Royal Farms, Starbucks, or Dunkin coffee?
- Snowmen, snowballs, or snow forts, and why?
- Favorite guilty pleasure food?
- Have you ever won a radio contest?
- Do you know how to drive a stick shift?
- What was your most embarrassing moment?
- If you had the opportunity to meet one person you haven’t met, who would it be, why, and what would you talk about?
- If you could only eat three things for the rest of your life, what would they be?
- If you could be famous for something, what would it be?
- What do you think is the hardest thing about being a kid?
- Would you rather not shower for a week or not brush your teeth for a week?
- If you had to pick one – skydiving, bungee jumping, or scuba diving, which one would you do?
- Who would win in a fight, a robot or a dinosaur?
- What was your favorite childhood book?
Erica Hoffman was born in Atlantic City and is proud to be writing for Shore Local. She lives in South Jersey and enjoys finding and sharing the lighter side of life.
