Give me some conversation starters...

[ThreeMusketeers]

I need to talk to


A drug addict...and her boyfriend

A compulsive liar and her boyfriend

And a bunch of know it all and I'm better than you's and their significant others...

Seriously..how do you talk to family during the holidays...when you don't see them for YEARS.

And they all have an ax to gride and the "can't form proper dinner table conversation disease".

I don't mean...they just have nothing to say. They seem to think that family dinners are the time to bring up every issue they have ever had with whichever family member and start airing it out.



Signed,

Not looking forward to Thanksgiving...

 

[mickeymedic]

How about: Did you do anything fun over the summer? The compulsive liar will no doubt come up with a doosy and then the competitive one-upmanship can start. And you can sit back be entertained by the stories that will unfold.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

How about: Did you do anything fun over the summer? The compulsive liar will no doubt come up with a doosy and then the competitive one-upmanship can start. And you can sit back be entertained by the stories that will unfold.

LMAO

Thank you. I needed that laugh.

And all with a simple "did you do anything fun over the summer..." lol

 

[lovesmurfs]

Mine would be ... Pass the wine.

Wow. Whenever a conversation gets heated up, my standard line is..."So, how about those Mets?" Doesn't matter the season -- spring, summer, winter, fall. Everyone knows that I'm obviously changing the subject. Since I'm now in Chicago, it's a way to get everyone to stop their fighting.

During a contentious board meeting one time, I knocked over a glass of water, which resulted in everyone working to clean up the mess, and then when we returned to the subject no one remembered that they'd been fighting.

 

[figment52]

I'd go with the summer theme - if it weren't a good starter teachers would have dropped it years ago - lol.

Pass the wine is a good second.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Mine would be ... Pass the wine.

Wow. Whenever a conversation gets heated up, my standard line is..."So, how about those Mets?" Doesn't matter the season -- spring, summer, winter, fall. Everyone knows that I'm obviously changing the subject. Since I'm now in Chicago, it's a way to get everyone to stop their fighting.

During a contentious board meeting one time, I knocked over a glass of water, which resulted in everyone working to clean up the mess, and then when we returned to the subject no one remembered that they'd been fighting.

That's funny. I wonder how may glasses of water I can knock over with a bottle ( i mean glass ) of wine in my hand btwn the start of dinner and dessert?????

 

[wishspirit]

We have a game of these at home for difficult house guests (mainly my boyfriends parents!)

1) What was your favourite book/ tv. programme/ film as a child?

2) What is your favourite smell?

3) If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow morning where would it be?

4) What makes you angry?

5) If you could go anywhere on holiday, where would you go and why?

6) What was your childhood ambition?

7) What toy did you always really want as a child, did you get it?

8) If you could do any job what would it be?

If i think of any more, i will post them!

Hope this helps! (I think you can only buy the game in the UK, or i would recommend it!)

 

[clarabelle]

I bought some paint your own ornaments one year.
The premise was that it was to keep the kids busy -but actually it helped with the adults too

Another thing I have talked about when I couldn't think of anything to say is....
"The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders 3-Making the team"
It is such a silly -but fascinating show that people are surprised I would watch it and I get to tell people who don't watch it -what it is about.

Maybe you have a TV show that you may have in common with these people?

 

[KelNottAt]

The Phillies? Eagles? Giants?

Ask about their kids.

Ask for advice. e.g., should I paint the _______room in an eggshell or flat finish? Camry or Accord? Should I try strawberry blonde the next time I color my hair? Cut it short or keep it long?

If you get someone talking about their health, sometimes it's hard to make 'em stop. How's your hip? Are you still getting migraines?

Who do you think Obama will name Secretary of __________?

Did you happen to see last night's/week's episode of _________?

What's this year's "must have" Christmas gift? Who's going out to shop Black Friday? Where ya going?

Guess who's getting married/divorced!? So-and-So just had a baby ______! Did you hear about _______'s scholarship to ________?

When all else fails, the weather.

 

[denisenh]

learn palm reading. just get a book at the library. work a few in before dinner. you just have to say to any one person "Let me see your palm....been reading palms for years"
people flock to you like magnets to iron and they get all giddy and gabby with each other too. its just fun.

holy cow, now trust me...thats not just a conversation starter, its a laughing: starter.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I have stopped seeing most people in my family. I just couldn't spend time with them anymore. After my brother ripped off my dead father's morphine (he died from cancer), and my sister kicked my mom out of the house because she was a "burden", that was the end of family holidays for me. I have no interest in ever seeing them again. I see my mother and that's it.

So now I just spend holidays with dh's family and they speak spanish around me so I never have any idea what they are saying. I love it!

 

[Cool-Beans]

Fake laryngitis.

If your family is that bad, you could just not go.

 

[suzimar57]

that lineup sounds like a typical holiday meal with my family....

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well, I would not go and subject myself to that. But since you asked.....

I would feign illness and when they talk to you just say you don't feel well.

Tell them you think you might have the flu as it is "going around". Maybe they will tell you to go home. And which point get a plate to go....

Give that complusive liar a run for her money....

 

[mom2rb]

I have no advice but I can't wait to read all about your dinner.

 

[sunnyday123]

So you'll be at my family's Turkey day???

Seriously, I've just learned to go with the flow and am truly thankful that I'm not like them.

Keep your purse close, leave all medications at home, and always try to one-up the compulsive liar. That in itself is the funniest way to pass the night.

Oh, and a really good red wine is Don Marchelgo (sp). Good luck.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

always try to one-up the compulsive liar. That in itself is the funniest way to pass the night.

Did you see "Must Love Dogs" with Diane Lane? She is on a date and is one-upping the compulsive liar.

 

[kmp1191]

Did you see "Must Love Dogs" with Diane Lane? She is on a date and is one-upping the compulsive liar.

I loved that show! Cracked me up!!

As for conversation starters....talk about your "co-workers". One just so happens to be a drug addict, one is a compulsive liar...several are total know it alls! Make up stuff as you go along....how will they know? Tell them what a pain it is to have to listen to all their drama & problems all day and you're just thankful that you have a "normal" family to enjoy.

Good luck!

 

[SharpMomOfTwo]

I say save yourself all the time and aggravation and just stay home under the covers for the day!!! I sure with I could........

 

[sunnyday123]

Did you see "Must Love Dogs" with Diane Lane? She is on a date and is one-upping the compulsive liar.

LOVE that movie! Made me want a Newfoundland in the worst way!