The Conversation Piece: Creative Questions to Tickle the Mind

by Bret Nicholaus and Paul Lowrie

Book Overview

The Conversation Piece will make you think twice about the everyday opinions you take for granted. What instrument is not music to your ears? If, for one day, you could have anything to yourself--any... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345407113
• ISBN13: 9780345407115
• Release Date: June 1996
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.8" x 6.2"

Customer Reviews

Good questions for meeting people

Excellent questions for meeting people. Some other questions books have questions that are much too intimate. This book is excellent for breaking the ice. And the questions are good for people you know already.

Tired of Making Standard Small Talk? Try These Questions!

You will find some of the most interesting personal questions you have ever read in this book. You can use the questions in several ways: to amuse yourself; to stimulate even more intriguing questions; to grow closer to those you care about; and to ask others you know less well the same questions as a way to become acquainted. As a result, you should find your dinner table conversation much enlivened! As the authors say, " . . . This book was designed to make your conversations more creative, interesting and exciting."The questions are in no particular order, and you can browse or go through from 1-320 in numerical order. Here are a few of my favorites (with their numerical order noted in parentheses):(320) "If you could add any question to this book, what would it be?"(70) "If you could change the custom of shaking hands, what would you replace it with?"(131) "If you had to choose your own epitaph of seven words or less (besides name and dates), what would it be?"(181) "What bit of knowledge/advice do you have that you wish you could pass on to everyone else?"(184) "What fear do you most want to be rid of forever?"(213) "What is something that you enjoy that is a chore for most other people?"(215) "What world record would you most want to establish?"(273) "What is one of the simple pleasures of life you truly enjoy?"In a group setting (perhaps like in a parlor game), you are encouraged to give everyone 60 seconds to answer before going on to the next person, unless the people involved want more or less time. The authors suggest that if you don't know what the answer is, you should imagine what the answer might be if you knew and be as creative as possible. If you get onto a subject you love, you can just stay on it. You don't have to go on to another question.I think these are great stallbusting questions because they can make you aware of your complacency. If there are things you love, and you are not doing them, what's wrong? The epitaph question is a good start on considering your life's purpose. Are you living it? If you have a terrible fear you want to get rid of, what are you doing about it? As I went through the questions, I saw direct or indirect attacks on over 35 stalls that drain joy and accomplishment from life. I suspect that you will get more good out of this book if you do the more stimulating questions with someone you love. That can be a great way to draw you closer together. In a way, this can be like some of the exercises in Relationship Rescue. In that book, you are encouraged to answer the questions first for yourself, then as you think the other person will answer them. Then you compare actual results, and discuss what it all means. Enjoy getting to know yourself and others much better! BE SURE TO ACT ON WHAT YOU LEARN!

One of the most thought-provoking books ever!!

I recommend this book to anyone who wants ideas for conversation with friends, family, lovers, co-workers. The questions in this book help you to discover things about people which you may never have an occasion to talk about in the course of everyday interaction. I learned amazing things about people I am VERY close to which helped to enhance and enrich our communication and understanding of one another. It is worth every penny!!! A FANTASTIC gift for ANYONE!!!

A great ice-breaker!

I loved this book. As a spublis speaker, I've placed my copy permanently in my briefcase, where I used it frequently as openers for my engagements. The questions are fabulous, and there's something in it for everyone. As the intro states, the authors specifically avoid any questions involving religious or political opinions, so any random question is sure to appease all. I also use it when friends come for dinner...it's great fun. I also pull it out for long trips in the car with others. And I think it would be a real kick to add a question on your answering machine ('leave your name, your number and the one word or phrase you wish people would say more often')....simply put, I love it.

Exciting and Thought Provoking

Bret's and Paul's book is a must buy for every household. I strongly recommend this book to initiate conversation whenever needed. For example, we took the book with us on a long trip in the car and kept the kids entertained for hours on end. My daughter also used this book at her birthday party as a party game. I have also heard a famous Chicago WGN radio djay use this book once a week as part of his regular show.