Question!

[Kpt._Rob]

I am, by my own nature, somewhat of an introvert, and fairly shy. This year, it's something I've taken to working on very hard. I've been making myself talk with new people, ask them about themselves, and just trying to hold good conversation. It's been a lot of fun, I've learned a lot about myself, grown quite a bit, and definitely become more confident.

But, I still have one problem... those awkward moments that come up in conversation when no one knows what to say. That said, I've also got a solution. I've purchased a little notebook to carry around in my pocket, and I've decided to fill it up with important questions like "Star Wars or Star Trek?" that I can ask people in these awkward silences. But, making up questions to fill a book with is a big task, so I thought I would ask the good people of the Escapist what questions they thought I should put in my book.


TLR? Pose a question you think I should ask people, go ahead and answer it if you want.

...Or, if you want, you can even answer my "Star Wars or Star Trek?" question (PS, there's a secret answer to the Star Wars/Star Trek question for bonus points/my undying love, so go ahead and try to guess it if you want.)

EDIT: Maybe I should clarify a bit here... all the questions I'm getting are styled off my "Star Wars or Star Trek" question, I mean, if you've got a good ___ or ___ question, that's fine, but it doesn't have to be a ___ or ___ question. It can be a "what's your favorite ____" question or a "have you ever ____" question, or any type of question. I just want questions that'll make people laugh, and that people will have a fun time answering.

 

[Irridium]

Oh phew, for a second I thought this would be another "What do I say to get girl?" threads.

Anyway, I'm not sure about good questions. I'd like to know myself actually.

 

[manythings]

I've always relied on "Interesting fact: blah blah blah...", better if true. This can usually lead to their interests or stories worth imparting or learning.

 

[Sneaky-Pie]

Q: How much does a polar bear weigh?

A: Enough to break the ice.

 

[SimuLord]

Q: How much does a polar bear weigh?

A: Enough to break the ice.

Q: What's a Henway?
A: About four pounds.

 

[Frozen Donkey Wheel2]

Well, my friends and I have a running joke where, whenever there's an awkward silence, we say "So, Colton's a bad driver." Because one of our friends is named Colton. And he is.

I don't know how it started.

But you probably can't do that, so I'll just say: Don't worry about. Those moments happen to everyone, regardless of social prowess.

 

[Wolfy1328]

Credits to whoever pitched this one on the escapist about a month ago:
Q:why couldn't the boy get into the pirate movie?
A:because there was too much booty!

Beatles or Rolling stones?

Coke or pepsi?

any of those, really.

 

[Kirkby]

Well if the worst comes to the worst, bust out the awkward turtle = P

 

[Kpt._Rob]

Well, my friends and I have a running joke where, whenever there's an awkward silence, we say "So, Colton's a bad driver." Because one of our friends is named Colton. And he is.

I don't know how it started.

But you probably can't do that, so I'll just say: Don't worry about. Those moments happen to everyone, regardless of social prowess.

I'm not worried about it, but I just want to make this book of questions because I think it'll be fun and add a fun element to conversations in which I choose to use it.

Speaking of which... no one's suggested a usable question yet -_-

 

[pope_of_larry]

wizzard or warrior.

is the answer starcraft

 

[Not-here-anymore]

I got bored about a day into uni of asking people their name, degree, area of accommodation, year, etc..., so I started adding extra random questions in. Like 'Coke or Pepsi?' or 'Favourite colour of Fruit Pastille?' (and I thing, in one case, 'Favourite Spice Girls Song?')

So for more suggestions:
'You ever wonder what would win in a fight between a pack of wolves and a polar bear?'
Or anything else that sounds like a strange vs. thread

Or, after a pause:
'Remember <insert cartoon, breakfast cereal, sweet, band, whatever from your childhood. Slightly obscure, but not too much so>? What happened to it/them?'

I dunno, I come up with weird questions. I also meet weird people, so it works out.

Oh, and in answer to your question, Boba Fett. I would say Star Wars as a whole, but then Jar Jar happened...

 

[The Paradigm]

Credits to whoever pitched this one on the escapist about a month ago:
Q:why couldn't the boy get into the pirate movie?
A:because there was too much booty!

I thought that it was because the movie was rated ARRRRRRRR!

OT: "So I just got out of federal prison..." That will either break the ice or freeze it ten times over.

 

[Kpt._Rob]

wizzard or warrior.

is the answer starcraft

No, I'm afraid starcraft is not the secret answer.

 

[lee1287]

what do yuo say to a man stealing your gate?

Nothing, he might take offence. ROFL.

 

[Gralian]

I am, by my own nature, somewhat of an introvert, and fairly shy. This year, it's something I've taken to working on very hard. I've been making myself talk with new people, ask them about themselves, and just trying to hold good conversation. It's been a lot of fun, I've learned a lot about myself, grown quite a bit, and definitely become more confident.

But, I still have one problem... those awkward moments that come up in conversation when no one knows what to say. That said, I've also got a solution. I've purchased a little notebook to carry around in my pocket, and I've decided to fill it up with important questions like "Star Wars or Star Trek?" that I can ask people in these awkward silences. But, making up questions to fill a book with is a big task, so I thought I would ask the good people of the Escapist what questions they thought I should put in my book.


TLR? Pose a question you think I should ask people, go ahead and answer it if you want.

...Or, if you want, you can even answer my "Star Wars or Star Trek?" question (PS, there's a secret answer to the Star Wars/Star Trek question for bonus points/my undying love, so go ahead and try to guess it if you want.)

Is your avatar Craft Lawrence by chance? Because i loved Spice & Wolf.

OT: You could ask the person what their political views are. Politics are a good way to get a discussion going. Alternatively, keep up with the news and talk about the latest headlines. For example, the woman here in the UK who was so obsessed with the game SmallWorlds that she neglected her two dogs (that died from starvation) and children and is now under arrest and banned from the internet. Or that guy in Kentucky who killed 5 people in a rampage after his wife failed to cook eggs for breakfast properly. Or something a bit more serious, but you get the idea. You could also ask what music they listen to, what movies they like and whether they watch any TV shows. Even if you don't watch TV you can still get them to talk about it. Show interests in their interests, it pays off in the long run. Star Trek or Star Wars won't get you very far, sorry to say!

 

[DazZ.]

Depends on the person you're (not) talking to really. You could be asking anything from "Cock or balls?" to "Cats or dogs?", depends on the person.

Make sure you know the person well if you ask both of those consecutively though.

 

[QCX]

In any awkward instances I usually resort to comedic value or questions that lead to discussion (open ended).

Now this can be simple pop questions or it can be more in-depth or personal, its all situational.

Eg;

Q: If you could choose one super power what would it be?

Q: You get one wish, what is it?

Or if you want to take a more comedic value try writing some stand up puns that would be good to use in conversation.

Eg;

I was on the train the other day and i seen this poster, it read "Please give up your seat for the less fortunate"

Now I'm a nice guy and yeh i would usually give up my seat for the elderly or handicapped.

But why the hell should I give my seat to a hobo?

Not the most stunning example of comedic value, but the point is there.

When all else seem the fail, be yourself, or ask question about the persons past or future. If there's one thing that works well, its asking about the person.

People love to talk about themselves, coz lets face it, no one knows them better then them self.

 

[Eren Murtaugh]

A great question, and one that'll tell you a lot about people is "Do you like to drink(alcohol)?" If it's a quick and happy "YES!" They're a bit of a drunky. If it's a lame sort of "Yeah, sometimes" They drink but don't pass out at every party they've ever been to. If it's a resounding "NO!" They;'re either a health nut, or someone who's had a bad experience with alcohol, or someone who sees somethin wrong with it. Roll with it from there.

 

[Kpt._Rob]

I am, by my own nature, somewhat of an introvert, and fairly shy. This year, it's something I've taken to working on very hard. I've been making myself talk with new people, ask them about themselves, and just trying to hold good conversation. It's been a lot of fun, I've learned a lot about myself, grown quite a bit, and definitely become more confident.

But, I still have one problem... those awkward moments that come up in conversation when no one knows what to say. That said, I've also got a solution. I've purchased a little notebook to carry around in my pocket, and I've decided to fill it up with important questions like "Star Wars or Star Trek?" that I can ask people in these awkward silences. But, making up questions to fill a book with is a big task, so I thought I would ask the good people of the Escapist what questions they thought I should put in my book.


TLR? Pose a question you think I should ask people, go ahead and answer it if you want.

...Or, if you want, you can even answer my "Star Wars or Star Trek?" question (PS, there's a secret answer to the Star Wars/Star Trek question for bonus points/my undying love, so go ahead and try to guess it if you want.)

Is your avatar Craft Lawrence by chance? Because i loved Spice & Wolf.

OT: You could ask the person what their political views are. Politics are a good way to get a discussion going. Alternatively, keep up with the news and talk about the latest headlines. For example, the woman here in the UK who was so obsessed with the game SmallWorlds that she neglected her two dogs (that died from starvation) and children and is now under arrest and banned from the internet. Or that guy in Kentucky who killed 5 people in a rampage after his wife failed to cook eggs for breakfast properly. Or something a bit more serious, but you get the idea. You could also ask what music they listen to, what movies they like and whether they watch any TV shows. Even if you don't watch TV you can still get them to talk about it. Show interests in their interests, it pays off in the long run. Star Trek or Star Wars won't get you very far, sorry to say!

Nope, I'm afraid it's not Craft Lawrence. It's Ginko from Mushishi. Though someone actually suggested Spice and Wolf to me at one point, so it's on my list of things to watch.

As for politics... well, let me put it this way, I'm an incredibly liberal guy... who lives in Oklahoma, which is about as un-liberal as it gets. Political views are a good discussion if you're getting to know someone, or want to hold a debate, but in my case since I'm looking more to just hold fun conversations with people, hit them with weird questions they aren't expecting, etc...

 

[Kpt._Rob]

How many puppies do you reckon it would take to kill Mike Tyson?
Do you reckon that fucking a transexual and reaching round would be like its gone all the way through? ( I apologise for that one)
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck norris?

Thank you, Im here till thursday

Yes, I'm certain all of those questions would help end an awkward silence.