Remember that part of the Holidays is about being present in the moment with those closest to you. You may break bread to connect with these people in your life. The food is there to signify the importance of the event and also to make it easier to focus on the conversation. And to be present in the moment may require a conversation starter.
Get to know each other better, ask the question(s) you always wanted to ask.
Here are some sample questions to use with working adults:
- What are you most excited about right now? Why?
- What have you learned from this experience?
- What is not perfect yet?
- What are you willing to do to make it the way you want it?
- What are you willing to NOT do to make it the way you want it?
- How can you enjoy the process?
- What is the most innovative thing you’ve done recently?
- Focus on the conversation. Get to really know what is going on with this person.
Here are some sample questions to use when speaking with children:
- What was your favorite part of the day?
- What’s your favorite class or subject at school? Why?
- What’s your least favorite or toughest subject at school? Why?
- What was the biggest challenge for you right now?
- What made you smile or feel happy today?
- What made you frown or feel sad today?
- What is your favorite thing to do with the family?
You can also ask children: “Would you rather” questions, such as “If you could choose a superpower, would you rather choose flying or invisibility? Why?”
Here are some sample questions to use when speaking with elders:
- What do you remember about your parents and grandparents?
- What do you want family and friends to remember about you?
- What life advice would you pass on to your family and friends?
- What was your favorite thing about school when you were young?
- What were your friends like when you grew up?
- What was your first job?
- What was your favorite job?
- Who were your heroes and role models when you were young?
There are many more questions than this that you can ask.
Remember to look into the eyes of the person you are speaking with and have fun with the questions.
-RG