What topics do I talk about for a civil conversation?

[ravivarma12]

Hello all

Happy new year!

I have a possibly wierd query. Awfully sorry if it might seem preposterous.

I interact at work with a team many of whom are 50+ women. Of course age is just a number! Please don't consider me mentioning this in the wrong spirit. I wish to have a congenial relationship to ensure that we all work together and get motivated to achieve our goals. I believe that it is good to have a bit of a banter rather than be robotic in interactions. Are there any specific topics (especially while in a group) you would suggest just to have some light-hearted conversations to ensure that the work gets done and we are on friendly terms in the long-run yet not infringe on anyone's sensitivity and run afoul of HR? It gets a bit monotonous to just talk about the weather or the ongoing pandemic day in and day out. Will be great to have some positive conversations! Any advice would be kindly appreciated. Cheers. Ravi

Oh god, I feel the same way, the conversations are very dry at this stage after nearly a year of remote working... we sometimes talk tv, or netflix recommendations, other news when there is any, but I don't think anyone judges any longer as hosting these things at longevity is hard going!

I think asking for their favorite recipes, dinner ideas, can be a fun conversation. I did this a lot with a group I used to work with, and every day we had a "what's for dinner tonight" chat. I got loads of great ideas, too.

TV is generally a safe and popular topic.
Pets.

TV. Sport. Pets. Cooking. Other hobbies. What you did on the weekend. Holidays you've had in the past or might like to take again in the future.

Football, where they are from, food, things you're interested in, whatever hobbies they have, politics... I like a lively debate

I'm mid fifties and my grandkids love talking about life before the Internet and mobiles. It blows their minds!! Appreciate for you is the other way around.

I used to work with a lovely woman and around 4pm shed always say 'whay are you having for your tea?' we'd have nice chats about what we fancied. Very mundane but she genuinely wanted to know - and it's the right side of showing interest but not prying.

Have a film season - Hitchcock for instance, you could say you're watching Vertigo and see who else wants to watch too.

I had a male colleague and one common ground was that we wore the same coat and shoes.

Music is one.
TV especially any reference to a children's tv show of childhood is another.

Topics we talk about at work - women's rights and the attack on them, how the world has changed, discrimination, food, slebs that have had surgery and those that haven't, music, holidays past and (hopefully future), art, work stuff...

Chat about what's on Twitter feeds that day
I'm thinking about starting a zoom book club, we've had a film club
It's just things to keep me going really.

Just be yourself. If you're usually respectful and open, you'll be fine. I'm a 50 year old woman with some friends in most age decades and there's Airways common ground.

Always!