Conversation Starters
 

Every year, it seems that there's a Recruitment thread on conversation skills, dressing, etc, but I must be using the wrong words in the search engine. If this can be placed in a better thread, please do so.

My landlady works for Moody Publishing, and she gave DH & I two little books on Conversation Starters for Couples. We've found some real gems in these, and most of them are NOT couple or religious oriented. I just wanted to offer the book titles for both PNMs or anyone else who needs them: They are "101 Conversation Starters for Couples" by Gary Chapman & Ramon Presson. Some of the questions are:

-What nonbiblical historical event would you like to have witnessed?

-If you inherited $200,000 (after taxes), what would you do with the money?

-If you could have the speaking voice of anyone you've heard, who would it be?

-What talent or skill do you wish you possessed?

-If you had a magic wand and could change anything in your life right now, what would you change?

One of the most important gifts of Recruitment is for PNMs to learn good conversation skills, and for the sisters to be able to respond in an appropriate way.

Good luck to all!

The Book of Questions is one of my favorite reads ever. It does ask some silly and/or inappropriate questions for rush, but it can spark some ideas.
And I love the parlor game (of sorts), you win 10 million dollars. You have to spend ALL of it; you can't save any, pay off debts or give any to anyone else. What do you do?
eta/this also isn't good rush conversation fodder, but I still think it's fun.

I always used to ask what PNM's biggest goal in life was, and it couldn't be related to family or career...I used to get some really creative answers! Everything from learning languages to visiting all the continents to learning how to ride a unicycle

Count this as another plug for Dale Carnegie's book "How to Win Friends and Influence People" as a fantastic guide for talking to people you've just met, remembering their names, and being memorable to them.
It's such an easy and fun read, too.
Just wish I had discovered it while I was in college!

For those sisters/brothers who draw a blank on specific questions or are uncomfortable with the whole conversation thing, I always tell them to fall back on: Tell me about. . . . .

*your move-in experience
*living on a floor with 25 (number?) other people
*managing your total freedom for the first time
*your current class schedule
*your most challenging (toughest) class
*your parents' advice/reactions when they moved you in
*your reasons for wanting to become Greek
*your family
*your last summer (following h.s. graduation)
*your high school experience
*etc., etc., etc.,

This works well for guys, especially thoe who tend to get tongue-tied and ask every question that requires a YES, NO, or SINGLE WORD answer.

Or a PNM could twist them as well...

What was moving into the house like?
Living with that many people?
How do they manage time between school and affiliation?
Toughest class?
Parent's reactions?
Reasons they joined their chapter?

-------
What do you wish you knew when you were a PNM?
^ a freshman/new student?
Favorite place to eat on/near campus?

I thought that was Dale Carnegie. And I second this recommendation!

Ack! You're right. Fixed it - thanks!
It is time for me to reread it.

I keep seeing the website on FaceBook for www.sororityeverafter.com. Has anyone ever read any of it? I am so time-poor right now!

I have read some of it. It is geared toward current sorority women, recruitment chairs, etc. It is VERY Panhellenic and encourages cooperation. So far, everything I've seen on there has been really good.