Getting to Know Someone: Field, Job, Career
When it comes to meeting new people, one of the first things we often ask is, “So, what do you do?” This question can lead to a fascinating conversation about their field, job, and career. Whether you’re at a networking event, on a first date, or just making small talk with a new acquaintance, asking about their profession can give you insight into their personality, interests, and values.
Conversation Starters
Here are some questions you can ask to get the conversation started:
- What inspired you to pursue your current field?
- What do you enjoy most about your job?
- Have you always wanted to work in this industry?
- What are the biggest challenges you face in your job?
- What do you hope to achieve in your career in the next five years?
Surface Level Questions: Clothing Store, Texting, Phone
Sometimes, we just want to keep the conversation light and easy. These surface-level questions can be great icebreakers or fillers when you’re in need of a quick conversation starter:
- What’s your go-to clothing store?
- Do you prefer texting or phone calls?
- What’s your favorite app on your phone right now?
Perspectives and Priorities: Internet, Aging, Comfort Food, Vacation
If you want to dig a little deeper and get to know someone’s values and perspectives, these questions might be a good starting point:
- Do you think the internet has had a positive or negative impact on society?
- What’s something you’ve learned about aging that you wish more people knew?
- What’s your favorite comfort food and why?
- Do you prefer adventure or relaxation on vacation?
Deep Questions: Worth Splurging, Inherent Goodness, Universal Healthcare
If you’re looking to have a truly thought-provoking conversation, these deep questions might be just what you need:
- What’s something you’ve splurged on that you don’t regret spending money on?
- Do you think people are inherently good or bad?
- What are your thoughts on the concept of universal healthcare?
Favorite Movies: Movie Recommendations, Conversation Starters
Movies are a great way to bond with someone, whether you’re swapping recommendations or discussing your favorite films. Here are some questions to get that conversation started:
- What’s your all-time favorite movie and why?
- Have you seen any good movies recently that you’d recommend?
- What’s a movie that everyone else seems to love but you just don’t get?
- Do you prefer watching movies at home or in the theater?
By asking these kinds of questions, you might just find that you’ve sparked a meaningful conversation with someone new. Who knows? You could discover a shared love of a certain movie, gain insight into their values and priorities, or even learn something new about yourself in the process.
So the next time you’re struggling to come up with something to talk about, don’t be afraid to ask a question and see where the conversation takes you.
Personal Insight: Self-Reflection
Self-reflection is an important aspect of personal growth and development. Taking the time to reflect on our experiences, behaviors, and beliefs can help us gain insight into ourselves and identify areas where we may want to make changes or improvements.
Self-Reflection Questions
- What’s the best thing you’ve ever done for yourself?
- What’s your biggest pet peeve?
- What’s something you regret doing or not doing?
- What’s one change you would like to make in your life?
Reflecting on these questions can help you gain a better understanding of yourself and what you value. From there, you can make adjustments to your life that align more closely with who you are and what you want to achieve.
Personal Insight: Life Goals
Having life goals can give us a sense of purpose and direction. Whether it’s retiring comfortably, starting a family, or achieving a lifelong dream, setting and working towards goals can bring a sense of fulfillment to our lives.
Life Goal Questions
- What do you want to achieve by the time you retire?
- Do you want to have children? If so, how many and when?
- What’s the biggest dream you’ve ever had?
Identifying your life goals can help you make decisions that align with your values and aspirations. It can also help you stay motivated and focused on what matters most to you.
Perspectives on Society and Authority: Political Views
Politics can be a divisive topic, but understanding our own beliefs and perspectives can help us engage in productive conversations and make informed decisions.
Political View Questions
- What do you think makes a good president?
- What are your thoughts on current immigration policies?
- How do you feel about climate change and efforts to address it?
- What did you think of the last election and the way it was conducted?
Reflecting on these questions can help you identify what values and issues are most important to you in the political realm. It can also help you engage in thoughtful conversations with others who may have differing views and perspectives.
Perspectives on Society and Authority: Social Issues
Social issues are complex and multi-faceted, but reflecting on our own beliefs and values can help us become more informed and engaged citizens.
Social Issue Questions
- What are your thoughts on social media and its impact on society?
- Do you think universal healthcare is a right or a privilege?
- How do you feel about the current state of the country and its direction?
Reflecting on these questions can help you gain insight into your own beliefs and values on social issues. It can also encourage you to become more informed and engaged on the issues that matter most to you.
Animal and Humanity Comparison: Cognitive Comparisons
As humans, we have always been fascinated by the behavior of animals and how they compare to us in terms of cognitive abilities. While animals may not possess the same level of person-like thinking as humans, research has shown that they are capable of impressive feats of learning, memory, and problem-solving.
Here are some examples of animal behavior that demonstrate their cognitive abilities:
- Chimpanzees have been shown to have impressive short-term memory, able to remember the location of up to nine different numbers on a screen.
- Dolphins have the ability to recognize themselves in mirrors, indicating a sense of self-awareness.
- Crows are known for their impressive problem-solving abilities, able to use tools to obtain hard-to-reach food.
Studying animal behavior can help us gain a greater understanding of the complexity of the natural world and provide insight into how different types of intelligence evolve over time.
Animal and Humanity Comparison: Empathy and Understanding
While animal behavior may differ from humans in some ways, there are still universal traits that connect us. One of these traits is empathy and the ability to understand and connect with others.
Many animals have demonstrated a capacity for empathy and compassion, just like humans. Here are some examples:
- Elephants have been observed showing kindness and mourning for their dead, demonstrating a sense of empathy for their fallen herd members.
- Dogs are known for their loyal and affectionate nature, often forming strong bonds with their owners and showing empathy towards them.
- Bonobos have been observed comforting their peers when they’re upset, offering physical touch and emotional support.
Studying these examples can help us to appreciate the emotional depth and complexity of animals and how it connects us to each other.
Personal Fears and Priorities: Future Worries
As we navigate our lives, it’s natural to have concerns about the future. Some of the most common worries people have are related to their health and finances.
Future Worry Questions
- What steps are you taking to maintain your health and avoid failing health in the future?
- Do you have a financial plan in place to avoid the fear of running out of money in the future?
Reflecting on these questions can help you identify areas where you may want to make changes or improvements to help mitigate future worries.
Personal Fears and Priorities: Personal Choices
Making choices about our personal health and well-being can have a significant impact on our future. While it can be challenging to make changes to our exercise and diet routines, taking the time to reflect on our choices can help us prioritize our health.
Personal Choice Questions
- How can you budget your time and finances to prioritize exercise and physical activity in your life?
- What changes can you make to your diet to prioritize healthy eating habits?
Reflecting on these questions can help you identify areas where you can make changes to your personal habits and routines to prioritize your health and well-being.
In conclusion, reflecting on different aspects of our lives can help us gain insight into ourselves and the world around us. By asking questions about our beliefs, priorities, fears, and choices, we can identify areas where we want to make changes and improvements. Whether it’s reflecting on our personal health and well-being, our political views and social issues, or the behavior and cognition of animals, taking the time to reflect can help us become more informed, compassionate, and engaged members of society.
So next time you find yourself with some free time, take a few moments to reflect on what matters most to you- it might just change your perspective on the world.
