If you are going to be outside today -- stay warm! If snow hasn't already hit you, and let's face it, it's not going to melt anytime soon, today may be the day you get slammed.
Thanks, winter.
Anyway, remember how Cheers POS got a new customer? The Cheers POS Training Team will be out in the field to help the new customer with their new Cheers POS System.
This means no Blogger posts until at least Thursday.
In the meantime, we found the following on Pinterest: https://www.levo.com/articles/relationships/40-conversation-starters-that-make-mingling-fun
The article says, "fun." Fun for who? These seem a bit intrusive, and if a strong, pushy personality is asking somebody who is not comfortable in social settings, the uncomfortable person is not going to know how to respond.
1. Where did you grow up? A: How does this help you with your business knowledge?
2. Do you have any pets? A: We become suspicious here because a co-worker of our secretary once had somebody kill her dog by feeding it poisoned food when she was away. Besides, who wants to hear Lonely Dog Lady or Crazy Cat Woman go on about their fluffernutters? ...If you ask this question, we cannot help you if photographs are brought out -- you brought this on yourself.
3. What's your favorite book? A: "The Art of Manipulation. Go away now." Or worse, what if somebody states a religious belief system's main scriptures...and starts proselytizing? ...Or what if it is just something COMPLETELY inappropriate in a business setting? Be prepared.
4. What's the first thing you do after work? A: "I start thinking about work for the next day." -- this may apply to the pet person who otherwise may not have a life. We think this question is a bit too intimate for a stranger to ask. Yeah, yeah, this is creepy. Pffft. We're not telling you. If you want to know, invest the time to stalk us. Duh. PLUS, if you DO start stalking the people you ask, they will know the first thing YOU do after work!
5. What's your dream job? A: Okay Cheers POS Followers, BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS ONE!!! If there was ever a question that seemed very Big Brother and North Korea and just able to come back to bite you in the butt, it is this one. The only correct way to reply is, "The position I am at now." With the cut-throat, back stabbing world of The Corporate Office and Functions, you may be out of a job if you answer how you would really like to answer. Have a sense of humor about this one is alright, we think, so long as you deflect and do not really answer the question.
6. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? A: This may seem innocuous, but, like discussing health in front of Eliza Doolittle, it may not be a subject for which you are ready.
--Incidentally, please note the use of gin in, "1984," and "Pygmalion."--
7. What countries have you traveled to? A: You mean, "To which countries have I traveled?" If you are in a business setting, please speak like you are educated. What if one has not traveled to any other countries? This question just is an opening for more questions. Not everybody likes an inquisition.
8. Do you like to cook? A: The way the question is phrased can provide a mere yes or no for an answer, the responder does not have to go into detail; that is not their fault.
9. What's your favorite food? A: .... We cannot see anything wrong with this one. Even if you have dietary restrictions, everybody has a favorite food, everybody loves food...except you, anorexics.
10. What's your favorite drink? A: Even better than the food inquiry. At least anorexics can claim water hydrates. Even if it is coffee or something virgin, EVERYBODY can answer this question without feeling overwhelmed. Though, it may not go farther than the answer.
11. Do you have a favorite local restaurant? ....Mmmmm...maybe this one is alright. Especially if you are from out of town and the person you are asking is not.
12. What is your favorite movie? A: Yes, you can learn a lot by this question, and those who know that will be uncomfortable with it and will deflect or straight up lie to you. Do you really want to start this relationship with them lying to you? If it is obscure and foreign, the question may not be worth it.
13. What movie are you dying to see? A: Though it is rare, some people may not have a television or care to know about anything happening in Hollywood. We are telling you the truth with this. Otherwise, we can see this working.
14. What are you watching on TV? A: Again, not everybody has a television, or has time to watch television, or Netflix, or any show. If you ask this question, though, we are sure they will let you know this.
15. What's the last concert you went to? A: Again with ending a question with a preposition. Anyway, this may take a while, as not everybody has the disposable income or time to go to a concert they want. Also, be aware that not everybody has the same taste in music.
16. What's the craziest thing you've ever done? A: This seems like a reconnaissance question aimed to get the answerer in trouble. Be careful how you answer, you do not want word getting back to your boss. ...And, really, whose business is this? Define, "crazy." What narcissist answers this?
17. If you were stranded on a desert island...? A: A boat, in good order, with working GPS.
18. What's your favorite season? A: And, we are back in Eliza Doolittle territory.
19. Do you speak any other language? A: We're not sure we want you to know this. ...Somebody could get creative and state they speak Shriiwook or something like that. (We had to look up this language to get it right.)
20. Do you have anything fun planned for the weekend? A: What if the answer is no? Or if the person has not thought that far ahead. The person being asked can always turn the question around and ask the asker.
21. Where's your favorite place to hang out in town? A: What if the person does not like to hang out anywhere social? What if they are a homebody, mostly...either their choice or not. Again, this can pose a very awkward situation.
22. I like your shirt! Where did you get it? A: Eh, okay, this may be innocuous. Even if somebody says, "Good Will," or, "Salvation Army," who doesn't like talking about getting a good sale?!
23. I can't place this song -- do you know it? A: No.
24. How long have you been at your job? A: This makes us suspicious. Are they asking because they want it?...why are they asking? How does this help them?
25. Tell me about something that made you laugh this week. A: NOT EVERYBODY HAS THE SAME SENSE OF HUMOR!!! We cannot emphasize this enough. Some people have a dry sense of humor, some people have a perverse sense of humor, some people have a twisted sense of humor. Unless you have a broad sense of humor, you may not want to know the answer to this question. Unless...you are gathering information on this person.
26. If you had a million dollars... A: Start. Singing. The. Song. From the beginning. Go ahead.
27. How are you today? A: Be fully aware you may be entering into Debbie Downer territory.
28. Where is the best place you have ever visited? A: Eh....maybe. We are trying to find a bad intention or answer here. It would be a stretch.
29. Did you hear about...? A: At best, gossip (which is bad), at worst, polarizing. Also, what if the answer is, "no"? Are you going to explain the situation or are you going to ask about another trending topic?
30. So, what's your story? A: *Looks disgustedly at the asker. Turns & walks away.* Very generic, not engaging, fairly overbearing. You do not have a right to know.
31. This place is awesome! Have you been here before? A: Please do not use the word, "awesome," if you are in ANY work environment.
32. If you could be any animal, what animal would you be and why? A: You may not want to know. This is an awkward question; overthinkers will over think this -- it will not start a conversation as much as provide a long, contemplative silence; the opposite of a conversation.
33. If you could invite a famous person over for dinner, who would it be and why? The answer may not a) be truthful or b) be what you expect. And, again, overthinkers may pose an issue.
34. What is your favorite holiday? A: If the answer is a religious one, and the answerer chooses to give a reason, this may be awkward.
35. What's the craziest thing you've ever eaten? A: ...?... Again, define, "Crazy," and, this may get disgusting.
36. What is the one thing you couldn't live without? A: This may not be as innocent as you think. Proceed with caution.
37. Have you ever won anything? A: Again, a yes or no question. People may not explain. OR, people may have come in second, or got cheated out of something and not want to answer.
38. Do you have any brothers or sisters? A: Yes or No. And, really, why do you want to know? How does this help you in any way? This is a little personal for trying to start a conversation in a networking setting.
39. Have you ever met anybody famous? A: Define, "famous." This may be a little awkward -- please, again, remember, if you are in a networking setting, NOT EVERYBODY WILL HAVE THE SAME INTERESTS, PERSONALITY, OR TEMPERAMENT YOU DO.
40. Do you prefer [method of communication]? A: Trying to get information, this is good...if not a little arrogant and assertive.
BONUS: We also saw an advert for a Hermes (pronounced: air-may) paperweight. It was being advertised as under $400.00 we get to the website (our interest piqued), and prices range from $700.00 - $1,700.00 dollars (not including shipping/handling, & tax). http://usa.hermes.com/house/desk-accessories/paperweight/m-presse-papier-43641.html
You know what else keeps your papers from flying away? Your stapler or tape dispenser, probably under $5.00 at a back to school sale.
~Cheers!
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