When is the last time you had a really interesting conversation...

[WinterFoxes]

and what was it about?

I'm discounting any conversations about DC/family/schools/homes. I mean a wider conversation. And not just an opinion rant about Brexit or Trans, but a proper to and pro exchange of ideas?

We held a drinks party this Christmas and i realised I had nothing to say. Just nothing. No interesting anecdotes from life or observations or thoughts. It hsocked me that all I felt good for was topping up drinks and asking who was around at New year.

I want to chat about the world - anything really - not necessarily heavy stuff, just quirky, intriguing things and I don't know where to start.

@Nepoyeah - I want to be your friend (and not the one who discusses inclement weather!)
Thank you for all these comments, everyone. It's interesting to see howvaried people's chat is. I will look at the Economist and try a bit harder with world affairs. I find the news so grindingly, unremittingly depressing though - I do want to know what is going on in the world besides war and men killing women.

Like the idea of some of these games, especially Shot in the Dark.

I just had a conversation with my asthma nurse about my forthcoming asthma review. That was fairly interesting.

Otherwise i had a conversation this morning with my covid-ridden lives-in-New-Zealand late 70s father about Nicola Sturgeons assault on women's rights with the self ID bill. It's a common topic though as my dad read Helen Joyce's 'Trans' earlier this year and sent me the book with a postit saying 'YOU HAVE TO READ THIS'.

He's very excellent value, my dad.

Had a really interesting conversation with my nephew about his university studies - he's been taking a course on philosophy of mind. I wasn't brought up in a home where this type of conversation was ok, so it was refreshing to experience.

I have 2 strong, proud daughters at university. They discuss politics in depth with the loud fervour of youth undiminished as yet by the harsh realities of life. Our house is noisy with the opinions and counter opinions. We watch the news together and many conversations develop from that.

Soooooo much nicer now the conversation has moved on from "my little pony", through Marvel to rounded life chat.

I met a lady from our village at the village jubilee party in the park. She had the most fascinating life story. I could have listened to her for hours. It was totally unexpected. I have always had an image of what she would be like when I saw her walking out and about but I couldn't have got it more wrong.

About ten minutes ago, with two friends round for coffee and cake this morning.
Countryside, seasons, books, stuff on Sounds, memories, plans for next year, plans for some trips in the near future, witchy stuff, our dogs, our families, old friends, politics, etc.
Actually, it doesn't sound that interesting on paper… but it was. 😀

I had a great conversation with old friends about perceptions and attributions (started with a particular behaviour shown by one child, whose married and financially stable parents are mental HCP, and how people would perceive the exact same behaviour if a child from a different background displayed it, wandered a long way from there.)

Also a great chat about disembodied voices, 1980s beliefs about near death experiences and spontaneous combustion, etc with my family. Turns out my mum once heard a voice say "Horse." very firmly and clearly inside her head, apropos nothing. Also: strange things seen down the underground by cousin Barry, and strange things half seen in the outback by various cousins.

Those were both in the last couple of days.

Oh and also a conversation with a friend during a walk about the difference between being clever and being wise. Some of the cleverest people I know lack wisdom, and I know some people who are mentally and verbally very slow but have an instinctive wisdom in the decisions and actions they take. We came to the conclusion both traits are probably inborn.

I had a really interesting convo at the weekend with an older couple who were an online dating success and about to live together. Made me think I might give it a bash!

I had an interesting discussion about the Russian revolution with my teenage son on our walk this morning, and then that morphed into a debate on whether the Empire in Star Wars was actually completely evil or not, moving on to Disney's acquisition of Star Wars and finally onto how commercial interests impinge on artistic integrity in general. It was quite a good chat.

We had a young ukrainian refugee staying with us up until the end of November.
Had some really interesting conversations with her although she sparked off a heated debate between me and dp about benefits claimants. Funnily her views were aligned with dps who is a bit of a 'pull yourself up by your bootstraps' kinda guy.
Quite illuminating as she's from an ex soviet country which I thought would be a lot more communally minded !

People from less developed countries never understand the benefits system. Really non-existent. But then there isn't huge income gap (ie no super rich) so the difference is rather limited between whohaves and whohavenots.
The simple understanding is when you have nots you make do without.

I think the trick is to read things and engage in sources that aren't just headline news. Having a mix of people to bounce topics around with also helps, as does having an interest in current music/film/fashion.

I'm doing a PhD and we're taught to have a 'dinner party thesis and an 'elevator thesis', where you can describe what you're researching within a 1 and 3 minute time frame. It's quite handy to have snippets of things you can discuss in short, snappy segments.

This thread has made me sad because I realise how sad and boring my life is. I seem to only have friends who talk about the weather/what’s on tv/what they bought in Sainsbury’s. Then there are acquaintances who simply monologue at you until you can escape.
How do you I initiate a more interesting conversation? I have tried to with friends but they seem to shut me down in a panic and revert to talking about what to have for dinner.

This morning, an interesting discussion with a colleague about the situation in Afghanistan. Triggered because there was a Khaled Housseni book in his bag that he'd brought in to put on our bookshelf. We talked about how different it is for women there now compared to when those books were set. Talked about how brave the professor was who ripped up his Diplomas on live TV.

Also have teenagers so we have a lot of interesting conversations!

The week before Christmas at dinner with three old colleagues from a job I worked in 10 years ago.
I really miss stimulating conversation since I had children. Luckily my line of work is pretty good for interesting people but I have so little time to socialise now it's the thing I miss the most. And I found the hardest bit of lockdown was never meeting anyone new.

@BeyondMyWits your post makes me feel so excited for a future beyond singing baby shark and discussions of the various merits of each dinosaur

Haha, I remember those days... though sometimes as the fervour and volume increases, it would be nice to have a "fluffy" conversation again.

I think being curious helps. As in genuinely curious, not just a busybody.
The latest interesting conversation was last night over the phone, catching up with an old friend, we were talking about goals for 2023, my friend was explaining to me how she has 5 work related goals and 5 home related ones. Her work related ones were shrouded in management jargon, so I have no idea what she’s on about, and her home ones were related to her children and family and her dog. I thought the concept was interesting 🤷🏻‍♀️

I think podcasts are a good way to improve your knowledge of current affairs and culture.

The best thing about university all those decades ago was the six-hour 4am chats about everything from your favourite drinks to the ‘why aren’t I someone else’ feeling. Unfortunately I’ve found that the last thing school gate company wants is ‘interesting’ conversation. Even those who are up for it tend to flee in terror the first time you broach anything more ambitious than nativity plays past and present.

Sorry I didn't come back to the thread. Funnily enough it's because I've been having an amazing conversation. My nephew called in to see us and asked DC what was the most interesting question they'd had to answer at uni. We ended up talking about modular brains and air drones and what Life is, biologically! Best chat in months.

I'll look at the thread properly tomorrow.

Music. Books. Local legend. Old ruins. Museums. Live gigs. Theatre. Shit airlines. Silly anecdotes. Films. Nature and wildlife. Pseudo science. The less political current affairs. Travel.

Robust exchanges of ideas are great for teaching and academic conferences. Talk about that stuff at drinks parties and people will just think you're an arsehole.

I have certain friends I know I can politics or spirituality/religion. Most of the time they are topics to stay well away from!