In my church job as Confirmation teacher, mission trip leader, Bible Study head honcho, etc. I have become the ice breaker question queen. The trick is to ask something difficult or impossible to answer with a simple “yes” or “no.” My success in this area comes rather late in my life, long after my five kids grew and flew.
Back in the day, I’d foolishly ask close-ended questions like: “Good day at school?” (answer: “Yes.”) “Anything exciting happen at lunch?” (“Nope.)” and “Is it true there was a fire in the cafeteria today and everyone was evacuated?” (“Yes.”)
Now I know better, and would pose my query this way: “If, in theory, you had to be evacuated from the cafeteria today due to a fire, what food item on your tray would you take along with you and why?” I might not learn anything substantive about the incident, but at least I’d find out whether the nacho platter or the big chocolate chip cookie would make the cut.
In that inquisitive spirit, I sorted through a pack of ice breaker questions I purchased at a youth ministry conference. I have used all of these with success, but I realized today that I’ve never answered them myself! So, in the interest of fair play, here we go!
Q: Would you rather own a zoo or a sports team?
A: What’s the difference?
Q: Would you rather have feet as hands, or hands as feet?
A: Depends on whether I had a mani, or a pedi, recently.
Q: If you were awake at a slumber party and everyone else was asleep, what would you do?
A: Lie there terrified that the Slumber Party Serial Killer was sharpening his knife.
Q: What’s something you’d want to save up for?
A: A house at the beach. Or dental insurance. Yeah, I guess the dental.
Q: What’s the worst super power you can think of?
A: Super Smelling. I actually have that one, at least when it comes to poopy diapers and spoiled food. Steve always says, “I don’t smell anything! It’s fine!” so he’s off the hook, but I have to change that messy diaper and pitch that stinky meat.
Q: Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck?
A: I refuse to buy into Disneymania, so I won’t answer that one.
Q: What’s the chore you actually like to do?
A: Reminding everyone else to empty the dishwasher.
Q: Would you rather master Kung Fu or Fung Shui?
A: I often rearrange the toys on the floor by kicking them. I think that covers both.
Q: What word or phrase do you think you say the most?
A: I’m blanking out. That’s the phrase I say, I mean.
Q: If money and time were no object, what would you be doing right now?
A: I’d still be writing this post, but sitting on my yacht in the Caribbean.
If you wondered how to write 500 words on a silly topic, I hope this answered your question.
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I am an author (of five books, numerous plays, poetry and freelance articles,) a retired director (of Spiritual Formation at a Lutheran church,) and a producer (of five kids).
I write about my hectic, funny, perfectly imperfect life.
Please visit my website: www.eliseseyfried.com or email me at eliseseyf@gmail.com.
