OUR APPROACH: HAVE ANOTHER BEER

How To Talk To Boring Relatives at Dinner

Key Quote That This Blog Views With Some Skepticism: The reason many people make boring conversation is not because they don’t have anything interesting to talk about, but because they don’t know how to talk about things in an interesting way. By asking questions, you can help them.

This Blog's Suggested Question: "Mind if I go get another beer?"

(Thanks to Jazzzz)

Comments

[Not My Usual Alias]

Three words:
Remote control helicopter

As long as folks are getting buzzed, technology and toys might as well be involved.

[Punkin Poo]

"consumed by crushing existential malaise"

Wow! And here I thought I was just mopey.

[wallflower]

I have to admit that I am HORRIBLE at small talk w/ folks I don't know. If the other person is a talker, I can carry on a conversation, but I can never think of things worth saying.

[crossgirl]

wishes fervently for boring relatives.

[Jeff Meyerson]

Suggested conversation stoppers:

"You know Lana Turner's eyebrows never grew back."

"It really bothers me when people knock Edward II."

That oughta do it.

[Mot The Hoople]

I corner anybody and start discussing quantun physics or string theory, within about 30 minutes everybody avoids me like the plague. It's always worked for me until somebody brought a physics prof to the party. He blew me away in 10 seconds flat.

[Steve Haller]

Just don't open the beer with your forearm in front of guests...

[Eleanor]

*zips in*™

It was a long article, but since my buddy Jazzzz sent it in, I read the whole thing. :) When I had those family dinners at my house, I liked to stay in the kitchen as much as possible, and not have to worry about the conversation.

I'll add my conversation question to Dave's:
Anyone want more turkey?

[daisymae]

My conversation question:
Aunt Ethyl, is it true that cousin nancy's son got arrested for marijuana possession?

[nonanonymous]

They have no suggestions of what to do if you really don't care at all, though.

[O the U(manity)]

Based on this quote from the story: the more you might illicit something colorful, racy, controversial, or funny. ...

My question would be: " ... and how many times did you flunk 'proper usage and spelling 101' before you dropped out of journalism school? ... "

[queensbee]

or - How did you like the men's room at the Minneapolis airport, anyway, uncle Larry?

Thankfully, i have no boring relatives such as these. we're jewish. people talk about what hurts them, which diseases they MIGHT have, and their latest operations. so, trying to switch to those topics will only encourage them. by the end of whatever meal, we all have heartburn and have to complain about that.

[nonanonymous]

LOL, queensbee!

[Not My Usual Alias]

If you think you have a bad Christmas Eve, check out this guy's alternative:

Upside to conversation

[lofti]

I liked the hint telling us to quiz the kids about school or books they are reading. Anybody who has or deals with children knows a question like that will unleash an avalanche of information, such as: "Nothing", "I don't remember", "I don' know", "What?", etc.

[lofti]

I liked the hint telling us to quiz the kids about school or books they are reading. Anybody who has or deals with children knows a question like that will unleash an avalanche of information, such as: "Nothing", "I don't remember", "I don' know", "What?", etc.

[lofti]

I liked the hint telling us to quiz the kids about school or books they are reading. Anybody who has or deals with children knows a question like that will unleash an avalanche of information, such as: "Nothing", "I don't remember", "I don' know", "What?", etc.

[Jazzzz]

Not my UA.....key quote.."it was my worst Christmas eve ever"...He had to tell us?