The rise of conversation starters
Has anyone else noticed, in their Christmas shopping rounds, that everywhere this year you can buy little boxes of cards called "Conversation Starters"? They're in stationery shops, they're in book shops, they're in clothes shops (I am sure I actually saw them on a table near the front of the store in Sussan, or was it Portmans, and maybe even in Sportsgirl) and just about everywhere (here's an example). And there are different versions of them all as well, as in dinner party conversation starters, family conversation starters etc. Out of curiousity I have flicked through a few, and the questions are neither extraordinary or profound, but mostly the usual "ice-breaker" type of questions, though occasionally I've come across one like "tell us about a time when you felt lonely", which could get all very deep and serious.
It's probably just that they are the kind of thing on which there would be a huge mark up on production cost, and people would like them if they're looking for those "gifts with meaning", but you can't help wondering, if they are walking out of the shops, whether people are genuinely wanting/needing help with conversation (and have to get out and be more sociable at Christmas time than usual!) or are pleased to have a way to start talking and get to know people that doesn't involve having to be totally direct (I'm tempted to make up a little box of all those weird things I've ever wanted to ask someone, then say 'hey let's play a game!', and blame it on the card).
Anyway, just curious, that's all. I'm hoping we won't need to pull out a box of "family conversation starters" over Christmas lunch this year, but you never know (and I guess there'd be plenty of worse things to do).