These days, it seems that everyone鈥檚 eyes are constantly glued to their phone screens. In a world of rapidly evolving technology, we oftentimes forget just how important face-to-face human contact is for our own happiness and well-being, and with the instant-gratification our smartphones provide, it can feel increasingly difficult to put our attention elsewhere (especially thanks to the deep dark abyss of the never-ending TikTok algorithm). In addition to the appeal of Tik Tok鈥檚 infinite algorithm, many of our day jobs require us to have our phones readily available to field a call or jump into a team chat. In short, it鈥檚 difficult to let go of our devices, even during the holidays.
At UB, our focus is on preparing students for their careers not only with the hard skills they鈥檒l need to succeed, but the soft skills most professionals need to build relationships, earn trust, and advance in their fields. Some of the most important soft skills young professionals can develop are based around collaboration, conversation, and personality management 鈥� and what better place to practice these skills than at the holiday table? After all, an invigorating face-to-face conversation with a loved one, or even an unexpected interaction with a stranger, can help you build your social skills while providing you with the warmth you need to make it through these upcoming winter months. Still, engaging in social interactions can feel quite daunting, especially when many of us are used to communicating through emojis. Here are some tips to help you challenge yourself to put the phone away and, instead, find stimulation through conversation with family, friends, and strangers alike this holiday season.
Do a 鈥減hone stack鈥�
If you need motivation to hit the power button, then consider phone stacking! Phone stacking is pretty much exactly what it sounds like; it鈥檚 a social practice which involves stacking phones on top of each other on the dinner table to prevent usage. Guests will be encouraged to engage in conversation rather than scroll endlessly through various social media platforms (which typically only leads to feelings of doom and gloom 鈥� two unwelcomed guests you鈥檇 rather not spend the season entertaining).
Now that the table is set, it鈥檚 time to connect IRL. Scary, right? If you鈥檙e struggling to find engaging topics, here are fifty light and entertaining prompts you can use to enthrall your family, friends, and guests this winter season 鈥� who knows what you might discover about one another!
Fun conversation starters to spice up your dinner table:
1. What are you watching on TV right now?
2. What was the last book you read, and would you recommend it?
3. What鈥檚 your favorite holiday tradition?
4. If you could only choose one 鈥� would you rather treat yourself to second helpings or dessert?
5. If you could befriend any fictional character, who would it be and why?
6. What achievement are you most proud of this past year?
7. What is a skill or hobby you鈥檇 like to learn this upcoming year?
8. If you could create your dream job from scratch, what would it be (no matter how strange or unrealistic)?
9. If you could share a meal with anyone (living or dead), who would it be and why?
10. If you could master any instrument, which one would it be?
11. Who would play you in a movie?
12. Which album would be the soundtrack of your life?
13. What鈥檚 the best vacation you鈥檝e ever been on?
14. Who was your favorite teacher growing up and why?
15. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
16. If you could make one season last all year long, which would it be?
17. What鈥檚 your favorite holiday food item that you look forward to enjoying every year?
18. What鈥檚 your go-to dance move? (Bonus points if you get up and do it.)
19. What鈥檚 the last movie you watched in theaters?
20. Who鈥檚 the most famous person you鈥檝e ever met?
21. What鈥檚 your go-to karaoke song?
22. Do you have any hidden talents?
H3: 23. If you were a vegetable (or fruit 鈥� whichever you鈥檇 prefer), which would you be?
24. Do you have any tattoos? If not, then what tattoo would you get?
25. What is your biggest pet peeve?
If you鈥檙e looking to start fresh and make a change this new year, then learn more about our various academic programs at 越南直播.
26. Are you a morning bird or a night owl?
27. If you had to change your name, then what would your new name be?
28. What鈥檚 your biggest fashion regret?
29. What would the title of your autobiography be?
30. What movie or TV show would you love to live in?
31. What鈥檚 the best concert you鈥檝e ever been to?
32. If you could invent an app that would make your life easier, what would it do?
33. Would you rather go to the beach or the city on vacation?
34. What鈥檚 your favorite decade of music (鈥�60s, 鈥�70s, etc.)?
35. Do you prefer summer or winter activities?
36. What side of TikTok are you on that you shouldn’t be?
37. If you had to relive one day of your life, what would it be and why?
38. What three items would you want on a desert island?
39. What feeling do you wish you could turn into an ice cream flavor?
40. What鈥檚 the best way to spend a snowy or rainy day inside?
41. What鈥檚 the best gift you鈥檝e ever received?
42. What is your guilty pleasure?
43. If you could bring back a canceled TV show, what would it be?
44. What was your childhood dream job?
45. Are you a Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin?
46. If you had to be a magical creature (witch, vampire, mermaid, werewolf, etc.), what would you be and why?
47. Would you rather explore space or the ocean?
48. What鈥檚 your favorite mode of transportation (car, foot, train, plane, etc.)?
49. If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
50. What鈥檚 the kindest compliment someone鈥檚 paid you?
Make your holiday season merry and bright for all
The holidays can be a nerve-wracking time and experiencing FOMO on Instagram or the empty pleasures of infinite scrolling on Tik Tok can only make things worse. Now鈥檚 the chance to use this precious time away from work and school to bond with the loved ones in your life. Spread warmth this winter season by choosing face-to-face contact over the bleak screen of a cellphone; use these fun conversation starters to relieve any awkward silences while learning more about your loved ones and filling your holiday dinner table with laughter and real, actual connection.
Here at 越南直播, we wish our students, faculty, and community members warmth and joy this holiday season. Whether you鈥檙e gathering with loved ones around a roaring fire, or spending a cozy night alone, we hope you find happiness and peace during this festive season.
If you鈥檙e ready to make a change in 2024, then learn more about our various academic programs and join the UB community. #UBelong here.