We’ve spoken on the show before about conversation openers that differ from the often dreaded “What do you do?” and we heard from one listener who prefers “What keeps you busy?” This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “What Keeps You Busy?”
On an earlier show, we were talking about conversational openers.
How to start a conversation with people and dig a little bit deeper than just the weather.
We got some suggestions from listeners.
Beverly in Vermont says that the question she uses is, what keeps you busy?
Which I really like.
What keeps you busy?
What keeps you busy?
Yeah, because that way, you know, if the person feels self-conscious about his or her work or not having work, what keeps you busy?
So job, hobby, family, outings, whatever.
Yeah, it gives the listener a lot of discretion.
And we also heard from Tracy who suggested saying, are you from whatever the place is?
Oh.
Because these days people are from all over.
Places are such a melting pot.
Yeah, that always worked in New York.
It always works here in San Diego.
That always worked in the Bay Area when I lived there.
Yeah?
Yeah.
Are you from San Francisco?
Yeah.
And you’d be like, no, but I spent a year in them.
Exactly.
And there’s a story.
And you find out why they moved and who came with them and where they’re living.
Pretty soon, you’re looking for a way out, right?
No, no.
Not necessarily.
I’m talkative.
This is a show about language and human communication.
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