So here’s a fun game to play with friends, family, co-workers, or fellow mental patients. It’s an idea that was shared with me by a woman at a nursing home social workers convention I recently spokeat. What I love about it is that it doesn’t cost a dime, you can play with any number of people, you don’t need any special props, and you can avoid boring small talk. (Score!) It’s perfect for road trips and family get togethers. Here’s how it works:
One person starts the conversation with any random statement. Immediately, the next person has to follow that up with a statement or question that has absolutely NOTHING to do with the previous one.
“I have to change the oil in my Honda.”
“Don’t you just adore eggplant?”
“Those postage stamps are quite colorful.”
On and on the game goes until someone hesitates or trips up and responds with something relevant. Pausing for a second is bad. Being relevant is bad. For instance, if you replied to the first statement above about the Honda, “My car needs a brake job,” you’re out, baby.
Up the level of fun and difficulty by seeing just how fast you can keep the crazy conversation going.
P.S. I cannot be held responsible for anyone who may be inadvertently taken off to the looney bin during the course of playing this game. I say we blame the nursing home social worker.
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I enjoy mitochondria.
I enjoyed this post–oops! I’m out!
The Philippines has the best snorkeling ever!
The light is green.
It’s really windy.
Peanuts grow in the dirt.
I just happened onto your blog. Good topic, and one we can all use once in a while.
Nice, guys :)
(I mean, What color are your socks?)
Don’t drink out of the toilet.
The mail hasn’t come yet.
Refridgerator
Don’t let it rest on the President’s desk — rock the house!
(Song lyrics are okay, right?)
Jason, I’m going to borrow this exercise from you for my public speaking workshops & group coaching. I’m always looking for fun ways to get people thinking on their feet, or in this case, not thinking on their feet! This is a great activity for getting them to free their minds and go with whatever comes next.
I also like to do something called visual improv (you can see a video here from PresentationCampLA: http://tinyurl.com/pf5owz), which reminds me a little of your game where you watch a tv show or movie with the sound turned off and make your own story. :-)
Always happy to serve as a resource for fun things to add to your bag of tricks :) And thanks for sharing the link to that video. That looks like a super fun game!
I have lemonade in a Looney Tunes cup.
I had a spaz attack today while eating garlic bread and i nearly died.