Univeral Subject

August 26, 2005 7:09 AM

What is the best, most universal subject one can utilise in order to have a conversation in any society in the world, without causing offence to the people you're conversing with?
posted by spooksie to writing & language (47 comments total)

The weather.
posted by junkbox at 7:10 AM on August 26, 2005

The weather.
posted by jdroth at 7:14 AM on August 26, 2005

Except that won't work real well where there is a horrid drought and famine or some other weather related catastrophe. I doubt South Floridians really want to talk about rain right now.

There are no universals.
posted by Pollomacho at 7:14 AM on August 26, 2005

Surely the weather. Everyone talks about it, but nobody does anything about it.
posted by bystander at 7:14 AM on August 26, 2005

Hah, I was going to say the weather too.
posted by jamesonandwater at 7:14 AM on August 26, 2005

Traffic.
posted by OmieWise at 7:17 AM on August 26, 2005

Them.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 7:17 AM on August 26, 2005

I mean also the local equivalent thereof.
posted by OmieWise at 7:17 AM on August 26, 2005

We are in a bit of a drought in Sydney, and I can assure you the weather is more than ever a subject for chat.
posted by bystander at 7:19 AM on August 26, 2005

The kids.
posted by scratch at 7:21 AM on August 26, 2005

I second traffic
posted by jontyjago at 7:21 AM on August 26, 2005

"Boy, that Jar Jar Binks sure does suck."
posted by bondcliff at 7:24 AM on August 26, 2005

Traffic, no cars in the Amazon...
posted by spooksie at 7:27 AM on August 26, 2005

Are people dropping dead in Sydney due to your drought?
posted by Pollomacho at 7:34 AM on August 26, 2005

Math.
posted by bshort at 7:35 AM on August 26, 2005

I doubt South Floridians really want to talk about rain right now.

On the contrary; I suspect they're talking about little else.
posted by DevilsAdvocate at 7:35 AM on August 26, 2005

Traffic, no cars in the Amazon

Yeah, means nothing to us subway-takers too.
posted by jamesonandwater at 7:38 AM on August 26, 2005

And all over the world
Strangers
Talk only about the weather.
All over the world
It's the same
It's the same
It's the same.

posted by Hildago at 7:38 AM on August 26, 2005

Parents. Unless they are war orphans.
posted by CunningLinguist at 7:48 AM on August 26, 2005

Traffic kills people. People's children often kill them, and other family members too.

"Them" is probably the only thing.
posted by fire&wings at 7:48 AM on August 26, 2005

Schoolhouse Rock
posted by CrazyJoel at 7:55 AM on August 26, 2005

Belly Button Fluff
posted by lunkfish at 7:55 AM on August 26, 2005

you didn't mention your age - but school could also be a good topic

safe conversation topics are based on the context that you are in. for example, you are sitting on a plane with a stranger - talk about the city that you are leaving, or going to. ask them where they are from - prepare to discuss your answer to that question as well

you meet someone at a cocktail party. discuss the party, the location, the drink you are savouring, the art on the walls

the key to pleasant conversation is to keep the topic light, uncontroversial, positive. I think that it's not a question of finding a topic that is universally pleasant to discuss, but finding a positive, pleasant angle to topics being discussed.
posted by seawallrunner at 7:56 AM on August 26, 2005

I always like asking about holidays or festivals wherever I go. Even the poorest or strictest places have a few special days a year.
posted by Alison at 7:57 AM on August 26, 2005

safe conversation topics are based on the context that you are in

I believe the point of the question is to find out if there is any topic that is universal and safe REGARDLESS of context. In which case, I agree with the weather. Or Jar Jar Binks.
posted by spicynuts at 8:03 AM on August 26, 2005

Prime Numbers.
posted by Dagobert at 8:04 AM on August 26, 2005

Someones interests?

I daresay it would be difficult to find someone who didn't have any interests and was offended by someone asking them.
posted by ralawrence at 8:05 AM on August 26, 2005

Music is the universal connector.
posted by cahlers at 8:13 AM on August 26, 2005

Language itself.
posted by of strange foe at 8:13 AM on August 26, 2005

Well, in all countries but one, talking about how fucked up the United States is.
posted by curtm at 8:21 AM on August 26, 2005

Food. (That's pretty much the only universal that everyone in the world needs.)
posted by ruwan at 8:27 AM on August 26, 2005

"Kids these days..."
posted by danhon at 8:31 AM on August 26, 2005

"Should we talk about the weather?" (yes!)
"Should we talk about the government?" (no!)

I like the festivals idea too. Food is also a good subject, as are asking about local heroes or places of interest.
posted by norm at 8:37 AM on August 26, 2005

I second talking about them. If you don't want to risk offending, then be undefined, just listen.
posted by scazza at 8:43 AM on August 26, 2005

Talk about how people are the same all over the world.

Talk about how different people are in different parts of the world.

There are ways to do this without getting racist or xenophobic overflow; cultural weather is still weather.

Examples: Food. Their food vs. your food. Good food, weird food, unusual food, scary food. Everyone likes talking about sushi, whether or not they've ever had it -- if someone thinks sushi sounds weird or gross, that's not a controversial comment. If you stick up for sushi in a place where people think it's exotic, you'll seem like an adventurer. If you ask for expert advice from people who know a lot about sushi, you'll seem respectful and wise.

Other cultural weather: new cars, used cars, taxis, airplanes, the different colors and shapes of money, how different things like doorknobs and toilets are from country to country, cigarettes, elevators, escalators, moving sidewalks, outdoor concerts. Kids these days. Dog and cat stories. Grandparents. Photography. Snack foods. Whether the tapwater is good. How weird it is how much some people pay for designer bottled water. You know, the kinds of things stand-up comics playing to mixed crowds talk about.

A good stand-by for people with little language in common who want to have a good time: The different words for animal noises in different languages. I swear, there's no better way to get a tableful of grownups laughing, especially when one or more of them are a language short.
posted by tarintowers at 8:45 AM on August 26, 2005

In some cultures, it's considered rude to ask people personal questions about themselves and their lives.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 8:56 AM on August 26, 2005

While that is true, croutonsupafreak, people always and everywhere like mostly to talk about themselves. I appreciate there might be rare exceptions but I've yet to encounter them unless you touch on subjects like sex, politics, religion etc. So some innocent questions about the person you are talking to are quite good. Like kids, where they were grown up, what their home town is like, etc. etc. are good. If in doubt, make them talk first.
posted by keijo at 9:12 AM on August 26, 2005

tarintowers: all the conversations people start with me about British food tend to include the words 'shit' or 'awful' so I'm not convinced food is the most neutral area. I like you animal noises observation though.
posted by biffa at 9:12 AM on August 26, 2005

you=your
posted by biffa at 9:13 AM on August 26, 2005

Asking someone what kind of food they like is pretty neutral, unless either party is British. heh.
posted by tarintowers at 9:14 AM on August 26, 2005

I'd say it's impossible to pick a subject with 0 petential for offense. "any society" is pretty universal. What about societies that still think the weather is divine in nature? What kind of conversation are you, fine weather.com user, going to have?

that said..
The Beatles, hype or heros? (Be prepared to talk both sides)
posted by Jack Karaoke at 9:41 AM on August 26, 2005

1) Anywhere but Southern California: the weather
2) Southern California: cars.

There may be other places where there is no weather. If so, adjust accordingly.
posted by kindall at 10:43 AM on August 26, 2005

You can always talk about yourself. If there's one thing everybody wants to know, it's what the the hell everybody else is doing.
posted by nixerman at 12:15 PM on August 26, 2005

When I travel in the US, I ask people if they use public transportation [and how is it], where their garbage and recycling goes [and how that works] and if they know their neighbors [and how are they]. I don't travel outside the country as much, but I think I'd go for questions like these, many of which have already been mentioned.

"What do you see when you look at the moon?"
"What do you call the sound a dog makes here?"
"What do you do for fun around here?"
"What is your favorite holiday/celebration"

In general, them. It's pretty easy to talk to people without offending them, the trick is to not get easily offended if they wind up somehow stumbling into one of your hot button topics. If you can decide to be gracious, people generally are gracious in return.
posted by jessamyn at 12:53 PM on August 26, 2005

Well, in all countries but one, talking about how fucked up the United States is.

Which one is that?
posted by Aknaton at 5:56 PM on August 26, 2005

Kansas.
posted by curtm at 7:34 PM on August 26, 2005

How cute the little kids are, how interesting the recent weather has been, how neat the outfit someone is wearing is, how silly some jerk is acting, and can you get your conversational partner a drink or something.

You know, basic human stuff.
posted by mediareport at 9:37 PM on August 26, 2005