Social Lifeboat

This folded piece of paper is a social lifeboat. Carried in my wallet for many years.

Pack Creek Ranch, San Juan County, Utah
Late October, cool weather- first snow on the La Sal mountains. Cows and deer and turkeys drifting down from the high country.

Backstory:
Imagine you are at a social occasion where you don’t know most of the other people – a cocktail party, the wedding reception of your mate’s third cousin, a retirement party, a fundraising gala, etc. And you’ve exhausted your skill of small talk and had more white wine and small mystery bites than you intended to consume. You are standing alone close to an exit, ready to leave early, and a man comes over to you, and says, “Excuse me, but would you consider this list.”

I’ve been that man offering the list for many years. I intended to use boredom as an opportunity to have a meaningful conversation. Results – nobody ever turned me down. Sometimes the person I approached was the last to leave, not the first to flee. Sometimes other people who overheard our conversation joined in. I made some long-time friends that way and was always reminded of the richness of human experience and knowledge.

(The list also works in an airport when a flight has been delayed.)

Some questions on the old list were never addressed – and I’ve edited and updated the list considering the suggestions arising from the last question on the old list – still the last question on the list.

SOCIAL LIFEBOAT

1. 1. 1. 1. Did you ever have a great teacher – in school or out? A mentor?
         2. What would you be learning – if you had time?
         3. What would you teach, if you were asked?
         4. Do you know any silly tricks? Coins, cards, face contortions?
         5. If you could be an eyewitness to some event in history, which one?
         6. If you could see any place in the world before human history – where would you go and why?
         7. What other place/time in modern history – since 1700 –would you live?
         8. Decisions of consequence – what forks in the road were on your Way – and what if you had taken the other path?
         9. Do you know where you were conceived – and the circumstances?
         10. What would you name yourself instead of the name your parents gave you? Do you have a name you call yourself?
         11. What ability/talent do you not have but would like to have?
         12. Ever thought about changing your appearance or identity?
         13. If you were a spy, what would be your cover?
         14. What is a book, movie, or play you’ve read/seen more than once? Why?
         15. Do you dance? If so, what? If not, what dance would you learn?
         16. Ever had a paranormal experience? An out-of-body experience?
         17. Do you ever have any bizarre thoughts?
         18. Tell me about your dreams – color? sound? realistic? fantastic
         19. If you could live one short episode of your life over again – a day, week, month – which would it be? And why?
         20. If you could know how your life will end but you still could not change it, would you want to know? Why or why not?
         21. Ever been really lost? How did you get found?
         22. What do you believe or not believe now that you used to believe? Anything major you’ve changed your mind about?
         23. Do you know a poem well enough to recite it to me?
         24.  Answer an unasked question – one I did not ask – something you know but nobody would ever ask about and you would never volunteer.

Should I add that question to my list?