Lets face it, when it comes to having deep and meaningful conversations us guys can be pretty bad, so here are a few ideas and techniques to help you get started.
Open-Ended Questions.
An open-ended question is designed to encourage a full, meaningful answer using our mates own knowledge and/or feelings. It is the opposite of a closed-ended question, which encourages a short or single-word answer.
Here are some examples of open-ended questions:
What are you planning to buy for presents this Christmas?
How exactly did the fight between the two of you start?
What is your favorite memory from childhood?
How will you help the company if you are hired to work for us?
What do you plan to do immediately following graduation from college?
What types of decorations do you plan to have for your friend's birthday party?
What was your school experience like?
How did you and your best friend meet?
What sights do you expect to see on your holiday?
How do you go about booking tickets for a flight?
How do you go about buying a home?
The opposite to an open ended question is a close ended question.
Closed-Ended Questions
If you can answer a question with only a "yes" or "no" response, then you are answering a closed-ended type of question.
Examples of closed-ended questions are:
Are you feeling better today?
May I use the bathroom? tonight?
Are we having curry tonight?
Will you please do me a favour?
Have you already completed your homework?
Is that your final answer?
Were you planning on becoming a fireman?
Should I call her and sort things out?
Is it wrong to want to live on my own at this age?
Shall we make dinner together tonight?
Could I possibly be a messier house guest?
Might I be of service to you ladies this evening?
Did that man walk by the house before?
Can I help you with that?
May I please have a bite of that pie?
Would you like to go to the movies tonight?
Is math your favourite subject?
Does four plus four equal eight?
Is that haunted house really scary?
Will you be going to Grandmother's house for Christmas?
Did Dad make the cake today?
Is there a Mass being held at noon?
Are you pregnant?
Is he dead?
The Five W's
The five W's are questions whose answers are considered basic in information gathering or problem solving. They are often mentioned in journalism (news style), research and police investigations.
They constitute a formula for getting the complete story on a subject.
According to the principle of the Five Ws, a report can only be considered complete if it answers these questions starting with:
Who was involved?
What happened?
Where did it take place?
When did it take place?
Why did that happen?
Be enthusiastic about yours and your mates relationship.
Find out what your mate do for a living.....and I don't mean "My mate Tom works in an office."
I mean what does Tom really do?
Does he enjoy it?
How long Has he worked there?
Has he had a promotion recently?
Is he due a promotions?
Does he get on with the people he works with?
Show that you like Tom and enjoy his company by "Learning more about Tom".
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