Topics of conversation at the dinner table?

[kdickers]

I've got another silly question for all you past cruisers . . . I've read several threads and comments about topics NOT to be discussed at dinner etc (i.e. professions, politics, etc) but . . . what about topics TO discuss.

 

Forgive the first time cruiser question here but . . . just thought I would check with everyone so that I don't end up being that tablemate from **** (you know where) :eek: .

 

So . . . what topics of conversation DO you talk about to your tablemates??

[98Charlie]

Kim

 

You are right that some topics can be "hot". We sat with a woman who was very loyal to her political party. Doesn't matter which one, she was sure that they had the only answer and members of the other party were dogs from Hades.

 

Politics, religion, money and sex are usually not good "ice breakers". When we first sit at a table they usually go around with the introductions. Don't be afraid to be the ones to start with "Hi, I'm Kim and this is my (husband/friend/cousin, etc.) (Bob/Sue/Jose)."

 

Trust me. If you are polite enough to ask the question here, you won't be the tablemate from ....well, you know where :rolleyes:

 

OTOH, if you do get tablemates from there, you can always ask to be reseated for following nights.

 

Charlie

[kdickers]

Thanks for the response Charlie!!

 

I sure don't want any "stories" listed about me here on the boards!!! But I do want to be able to carry on conversations with my tablemates!! After reading some of the previous comments it really worried me that I'd say the wrong thing or ask the wrong question!!! :eek: SURE don't want to do that!!!!

 

So . . . what do you talk about (especially the first night) . . . after that there should be plenty to talk about!!

[Chucksta63]

I don't mind telling pepole what I do. Or asking what they do? Shore excursions are a good topic. Sunburns, things on the ship you have checked out, entertainment on the ship, funnyist thing you have seen so far. Keep it light, you'll find out after a couple of nights where everyone stands at your table.:)

[GoinCruisin]

Never thought about it... and I likely never will. Generally conversation comes pretty quickly. I generally sit with others in our group... but when we sat with complete strangers, there was no lack of conversation at the table.... we talked about where we were from, cruising experience, what everyone was doing the next day, etc. I say just go with the flow... hopefully you will be at a table with people that will make it easier on you!!!

[Laurab23]

Ask if this is their first cruise or what other cruises they have been on. We have dogs so we always ask if the others have pets and what kind. After that the conversation just flows!

Laura

[finoky]

One cruise we dined with a deputy sherrif from Tampa. He had some really interesting stories. Conversation will usually come pretty easy. Just stay away from the controversial topics and you will be fine. Also it helps if you aren't complaining about every little thing that has gone wrong.

[Bunkie103]

We ate breakfast with an Air Traffic Controller from Tel Aviv....now that man had an interesting life...no problem with conversation there. Also sat with honeymooners from my hometown so we had lots to discuss. I think port excursions and what you do, where you're from do really well. :rolleyes:

[ladycaveat]

On my last cruise (Celebrity), I was seated at a table for eight . . . six of which were traveling together (Mom and Dad and their Son . . . Uncle and Aunt and their Son). I was traveling alone so the eighth chair was empty. After inital introductions . . . I felt as if I had just crashed a private party. I have never felt like that before . . . and never have since. After dinner, I asked to change tables. Next night and for the next nine nights . . . I was seated at a table with the most fantastic, interesting and fun people I have ever met. Conversation just flowed . . . everything from prior cruises, kids, pets, shore excursions planned . . . shore excursions taken, food, entertainment, professions, who won or lost at bingo or in the casino . . . the topics were endless. At the end of the cruise we exchanged addresses and phone numbers. Christmas cards are still sent and received and emails are still exchanged. Two things I learned from that cruise . . . first, if you don't feel comfortable with your tablemates on the first night . . . ask to change tables . . . and second . . . if I ever travel with family or friends, I will go out of my way to make whoever sits at our table feel welcome.

[MNYTRPS2GO2]

On our Princess cruise in January my cousin started the conversation by asking the woman next to her where she was from. It turned out that their fathers were first cousins...

[Ehpride]

On our Princess cruise in January my cousin started the conversation by asking the woman next to her where she was from. It turned out that their fathers were first cousins...

 

Small world!

[98Charlie]

Also it helps if you aren't complaining about every little thing that has gone wrong.

That's the truth! Especially if they go on and on about every little thing. It's like "fingernails on the chalkboard".

 

Charlie