A small collection of interesting (boundary breaker) questions you can ask people instead of making small talk with “What do you do for a living?” This list is motivated, in part, by this lecture by David Goodhart (Big Think, 2017). Enjoy!

• Who are you?
• What is a conversation that you would like to have with someone, but haven’t found the right moment yet?
• Do you feel social pressure to [wear socks], or do you like them?
• What did you do last [Tuesday at 3pm]?
• What’s your third favorite [place to visit]?
  • (Source: Jessie Finocchiaro)
• Song recommendation?
  • (Source: Anonymous I met at CincyHop, 2022)
• What do you think about when your mind wanders?
• What is one thing you trying to improve about yourself or your community?
• What is one piece of knowledge or advice you can offer, based on your profession, specialty, or interests?
• If you had three extra hours, one day a week, how would you spend it?
• What are some things you don’t usually like to do, but still want to try every once in awhile?
• What is something that you know you’ll never (reasonably) do in your life?
• Are you someone who usually reaches out to others or do others reach out to you?
• How do you actively maintain your friends as friends?
• If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what would your sexy alter ego be doing?
• What’s something different about you than your others in a niche community you’re a part of?
• What something about you that people tend to get wrong?
  • (Source: Amey Zhang)