The decision to transition to an independent living community is no small feat. As a new resident, you may feel a bit overwhelmed or unsure of how to speak to other residents in your active adult neighborhood. The surge of new faces that you see everyday does not exactly make it easy for you to pick someone to have your first conversation with. Yet you want to make friends.
Conversation starters can help you break the ice and find your footing in a new social environment. This way, you can initiate new friendships quickly and prevent social isolation. Here are some effective conversation starters that you can use to get to know other residents in your community.
Where Are You From?
After exchanging greetings and making introductions, a good follow up question is to ask about the other person’s roots. Everyone has a wealth of experiences and memories that they would love to share. Asking this simple question can open you up to the other person’s life in minutes. You would be surprised how much you find out that you both either have in common or share in contrast. Do not forget to share your own experiences and you will find that the conversation flows easily from there.
Do You Have Any Children or Grandchildren?
If you have children or grandchildren, chances are, you love talking about them a lot. Other aging adults who are parents also share in this phenomenon. Sometimes, talking about things that are close to the heart can ease the unfamiliarity of a new social setting. Since you are trying to spark a conversation with someone new, this may also help them open up and get comfortable.
What Were Your Favorite Things as a Child?
In the same vein, you can inquire about their favorite things when they were just kids. Whether it was a comfort toy, a TV show or a special meal, everyone had those things from their childhood that they still hold dear to their hearts. Speaking about some of these things give you both a chance to reflect, laugh over cute moments and bond over your unique experiences.
Maybe you played the same types of games or read books from the same author when you were younger. Once you are able to build this kind of rapport with someone, you can move on to build a friendship that will last you the rest of your lifetime.
What Do You Like to Do for Fun?
However odd this may seem, it is actually a fun way to kick off a conversation because you never know what the response will be. It may be that your new friend is a die-hard fan of sports or the quiet type who loves knitting and making Thanksgiving pies, or even a creative person who knows their way around arts and crafts. You might find that you love doing the same activities or visiting the same kinds of places.
Do You Have Any Pets?
Most aging adults have pets and these furry friends grow to be a huge part of their owners’ lives even in independent living. If you have ever had a pet, you understand how much affection you can give and receive as a pet owner. Find out what kind of pet they have a s companions, the pet’s name and breed, what activities they love to do with their furry friends and if you and your pet could tag along the next time.
