i try really hard to ask interesting questions — mainly because I hate small talk but also because a great question opens many doors and rabbit holes. a great question can catch people off guard, make them think and helps you learn so much about who they are and what they value. so when people say this to me, I won’t lie it feels great
Jan 3, 2025
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seems like a valuable conversational technique, especially with someone you don't know well or whose depths you are trying to mine: get them to ask themself the question and then to answer it
This may also be a great stalled conversation technique! "Hey, what's a question you'd love for someone to ask you?"
(Also I had fun replying to this non-ask Ask)
May 31, 2025
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I find that random “would you rather” type questions do wonders. Or just something a little off the wall. It Helps really break the ice, it opens up for a longer debate/ discussion, it’s so much more fun than typical, and it can give that person an impression of you being far more sociable than you are.
May 27, 2025
I love to ask what people are currently “in to” - meaning current inspirations, fixations, interests, etc.
1. It’s subtle but revealing- I now know what you are interested in and get a hint at how you view life (ex. some interests can be perceived as narcissistic/surface level vs. thoughtful/curious) *Granted, not eveyone will have a good answer (or may not even be able to answer) and that will tell you all you need to know!!
2. Naturally we love to talk about ourselves and our passions so it will certainly keep the conversation going. Extra points for asking questions about what they say (maybe you’re interested, maybe you’re not- but at least it’s not awkward anymore)
May 22, 2025
Top Recs from @theeyah
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reading is a habit of building and developing your empathy and critical thinking skills. you’re forced to sit with an idea for however long you are reading it and forced to contextualise it and comprehend it within your own life and perspective. You can’t just scroll away or pause or put it on 2x speed. you have to sit with it. it’s super underrated, but genuinely I’ve made this a habit for the last year and feel like a totally different person. also you come out of it having learned something new or seeing the world in a slightly new way. I literally do not see any downsides to reading. make reading cool again! also you don’t have to do it in one big block, you can space it out — 15 mins here, 45 there — whatever works for you!
Dec 9, 2024
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i don't think anyone ever intends to become a recreational ornithologist. but i've noticed that it definitely creeps up on you slowly in your mid-twenties. it starts with noticing how funny pigeons are, then learning pigeon lore, and suddenly you're feeding your neighbourhood birds every morning and buying books on birds. as a child i idolised the pigeon lady in home alone 2, and i woke up this morning and realised — i AM the pigeon lady 🐦
Mar 6, 2025
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our cultural obsession with being perceived as cool is a disease. its peak capitalistic/consumerist propaganda. fuck being cool. like what you like and who cares if it's cool or not. it's tiresome and we need to leave it in 2024. literally nothing gives me the ick more than people who betray themselves in an attempt to be perceived as cool by the masses. be yourself — even if it means you're 'uncool'.
Jan 3, 2025