Not the "icebreaker" question,but a bit further into the conversation, I ask "What are you *really* good at?". The answer gives a good insight into a person and *always* delivers stuff for a good conversation. Example: I asked an ex-neighbour and friend in New Zealand, one of the All Black (national rugby team, mythical status) greats, about his ability to keep a place in the team for so long. He said "Receiving the ball from the kick-off and mental preparation" Which led to a long and deep discussion of mental prep and its application to life outside sport. (He's now a top artisan ice-cream maker)
I also dislike this question -- and, since big life changes in the last 4 years, particularly getting a day job rather than being self-employed, it's felt like an absurd nothing to be asked. (Why would anyone care that I scheduled dental appointments, or that I hang drywall?).
I wondered what question I wanted to be asked/what was interesting to me, and it's about place. I live in Grand Marais, MN, and I think most people up here prioritize this landscape... and just do a job so they get to be here.
Facebook used to have a value for your relationship status in addition to the ‘married’, ‘single’, ’divorced, etc. ones called ‘it’s complicated.’ Perhaps they still do. I don’t like Facebook much but that always intrigued me because all these things are all shortcut labels to categorize just like ‘I’m retired’ ‘I’m a teacher’ etc. I like ‘it’s complicated,’ because it always is, but only some people get to close enough to find out.
So, you are an artistic bicycling typist that has a thing for squirrels. Hey, I get it.
My brother-in-law sent me a text this morning that said "Hey dude, how's it going" my response was
Testing my blood, got rehab starting tomorrow, got the kidney doctor next week and then back to the orthopedic doctor the first week in January. Welcome to my world
Then I sent him two pictures of my front and side yard with them covered in leaves and added: That's not the scary part; I have to get all this shit up sometime before next spring.
I haven't applied the solution to the problem of me. Which means I feel that all the wellsprings of evil in the world emanate from my being. But only I know that.
I’m waiting for you to tell us all when you are peddling down the street with a snow shovel attached to the front of your bike while your trained squirrel types your dictation regarding how to carve a stamp.
What’s weird about me is I’m like a hummingbird only alighting on one thought, activity, idea, or process for a few minutes at a time. My subscribers know by now because I write all kinds of stuff, but focusing on one thing for long periods is quite challenging.
During my Foreign Service career, the insider “secret handshake” questions were, 1) what was your last overseas post?, 2) where is your next overseas post?, and 3) where have you bought a house in the Washington DC area? By then you’d passed a good bit of time, identified possible mutual acquaintances, and had their measure as a person.
.. these are very cool related questions - was already considering this morning - after several hours & possibly 30 or so screengrabs relative to a number of folks - during 2-3 hours surfing starting after 4 ayem .. but my real Curious Question is Why ? Or what ‘drives them.. ? It’s rare I’d ask someone in person - what they ‘do.. Might happen several times a year is all.. whereas Social & Mainstream Media is ‘an astronomical meeting place.. & where my curiosity exists or itches 9999% of the time
& an fyi too - nobody in my family asks anymore - what I do or really ‘knows what I do.. nor does Anne’s family ‘really know’ ie Understand .. what she does - a few peeps here via ‘substack have a ‘pretty fair glimmering re both of us .. as I’m a pretty open book - but realistically there seems an awful lotta people here - are super busy INFORMING US .. What They Do ! Who They Are (in great detail !) .. & some actually explaining - What WE Should Do & How To Go About It ! & this occurs on a daily basis !
A fave question of mine is ‘what’s your super power ? ! Mine is Curiosity ! 🦎🏴☠️
Back in the day, whenever I’d attend business networking functions, I always answered quickly and excitedly with some ridiculous occupation like rodeo clown. The opening conversation would go something like this.
“So what do you do?”
“I train elephants for the circus.”
“REALLY??!!”
“No.”
I don’t know what was more delightful, the way their faces lit up or the way the light went immediately out. Everyone had a good laugh and conversation commenced. Most importantly, they remembered me.
Yes, and my perspective isn't WIDER than yours just that I'm WIRED to look at WEIRD in a left-handed way.
Thanks all we all have these oddies but goodies!
I like your ice-breaker questions! 🧊🐢
I love the idea that you are whatever you are doing in a given moment (i.e., a "verb"), and that this is allowed to constantly change and evolve.
Not the "icebreaker" question,but a bit further into the conversation, I ask "What are you *really* good at?". The answer gives a good insight into a person and *always* delivers stuff for a good conversation. Example: I asked an ex-neighbour and friend in New Zealand, one of the All Black (national rugby team, mythical status) greats, about his ability to keep a place in the team for so long. He said "Receiving the ball from the kick-off and mental preparation" Which led to a long and deep discussion of mental prep and its application to life outside sport. (He's now a top artisan ice-cream maker)
I also dislike this question -- and, since big life changes in the last 4 years, particularly getting a day job rather than being self-employed, it's felt like an absurd nothing to be asked. (Why would anyone care that I scheduled dental appointments, or that I hang drywall?).
I wondered what question I wanted to be asked/what was interesting to me, and it's about place. I live in Grand Marais, MN, and I think most people up here prioritize this landscape... and just do a job so they get to be here.
Sounds like Banff, Alberta !
.. ever curious - have already looked up Grand Marais MN !
Facebook used to have a value for your relationship status in addition to the ‘married’, ‘single’, ’divorced, etc. ones called ‘it’s complicated.’ Perhaps they still do. I don’t like Facebook much but that always intrigued me because all these things are all shortcut labels to categorize just like ‘I’m retired’ ‘I’m a teacher’ etc. I like ‘it’s complicated,’ because it always is, but only some people get to close enough to find out.
So, you are an artistic bicycling typist that has a thing for squirrels. Hey, I get it.
My brother-in-law sent me a text this morning that said "Hey dude, how's it going" my response was
Testing my blood, got rehab starting tomorrow, got the kidney doctor next week and then back to the orthopedic doctor the first week in January. Welcome to my world
Then I sent him two pictures of my front and side yard with them covered in leaves and added: That's not the scary part; I have to get all this shit up sometime before next spring.
He hasn't responded
There are no “weird” questions, only answers.
Similarly, there are no problems, only solutions. So sang John Lennon.
I haven't applied the solution to the problem of me. Which means I feel that all the wellsprings of evil in the world emanate from my being. But only I know that.
Variant of Oscar Wilde,there are no indiscreet questions only indiscreet answers. Sadly one indiscreet answer at his trial dropped him right in it.
I’m waiting for you to tell us all when you are peddling down the street with a snow shovel attached to the front of your bike while your trained squirrel types your dictation regarding how to carve a stamp.
Most find it weird that after all that they see about me, I’m actually a stepmom. 💚💜
Thank you for the very insightful read. ☺️
What’s weird about me is I’m like a hummingbird only alighting on one thought, activity, idea, or process for a few minutes at a time. My subscribers know by now because I write all kinds of stuff, but focusing on one thing for long periods is quite challenging.
During my Foreign Service career, the insider “secret handshake” questions were, 1) what was your last overseas post?, 2) where is your next overseas post?, and 3) where have you bought a house in the Washington DC area? By then you’d passed a good bit of time, identified possible mutual acquaintances, and had their measure as a person.
.. these are very cool related questions - was already considering this morning - after several hours & possibly 30 or so screengrabs relative to a number of folks - during 2-3 hours surfing starting after 4 ayem .. but my real Curious Question is Why ? Or what ‘drives them.. ? It’s rare I’d ask someone in person - what they ‘do.. Might happen several times a year is all.. whereas Social & Mainstream Media is ‘an astronomical meeting place.. & where my curiosity exists or itches 9999% of the time
& an fyi too - nobody in my family asks anymore - what I do or really ‘knows what I do.. nor does Anne’s family ‘really know’ ie Understand .. what she does - a few peeps here via ‘substack have a ‘pretty fair glimmering re both of us .. as I’m a pretty open book - but realistically there seems an awful lotta people here - are super busy INFORMING US .. What They Do ! Who They Are (in great detail !) .. & some actually explaining - What WE Should Do & How To Go About It ! & this occurs on a daily basis !
A fave question of mine is ‘what’s your super power ? ! Mine is Curiosity ! 🦎🏴☠️
Back in the day, whenever I’d attend business networking functions, I always answered quickly and excitedly with some ridiculous occupation like rodeo clown. The opening conversation would go something like this.
“So what do you do?”
“I train elephants for the circus.”
“REALLY??!!”
“No.”
I don’t know what was more delightful, the way their faces lit up or the way the light went immediately out. Everyone had a good laugh and conversation commenced. Most importantly, they remembered me.
I love the way you make serious points with humor, Kent.
Ha ha. I can answer BOTH your questions with one word "EVERYTHING".
Should I ever get asked what I do I will say," I'm a Social Commentator" because I am - on Substack.