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16 Conversation Topics Besides The Election

Never want to hear another word about Hillary or Trump ever again? Me neither.

Isabella Bumbera

Nov 07, 2016

Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

16 Conversation Topics Besides The Election

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I am sick and tired of hearing about the 2016 Presidential Election.

There, I said it.

I am tired of the countless role ads that play every time I log onto YouTube. If I want to listen to listen to early 2000's pop music to destress, I am first bombarded with "Vote for [Insert Candidate Name Here]." And it's frustrating! I was just looking to maybe head-bang to Bowling for Soup for a few minutes, but now suddenly I feel almost sick with worry about the coming election results. Don't get me wrong, I encourage every US citizen who's 18 years of age or older to go out and vote. I myself have already decided who I'm voting for, and while I won't discuss my political views in depth in this article, I can't deny that I am exhausted. I am tired of seeing arguments between friends and family members break out on Facebook over who's the better candidate. I am fed up with screaming matches at family dinners because half vote for one party and half are hellbent on voting for the other. This election is destroying relationships and I refuse to let it continue.

So, I've come up with a better idea. Next time, instead of asking me their opinions on the election, here is a list of alternative conversation topics that I have conveniently cataloged below. Feel free to try them out on your family and friends!

1. Puppies

Or any cute animal, really. I would much rather see a picture of a tiny Pit Bull puppy or baby hedgehog than a PSA endorsing either of the candidates. Share more photos of cute animals on your social media accounts, (I'll probably like it).

2. The Weather

Maybe this one depends on where you live, but if you live in PA, you know that this weather has been crazy! One day you feel like your face is going to freeze off, the next you're melting into a puddle. There is just no adjusting!

3. Memes

Share your most outrageous and fantastical memes! Make me laugh! (Some of my personal favorites include Condescending Wonka, Hamilton as Mike, and the ever famous "One does not simply...")

4. Movies/TV Shows

As an avid watcher of Netflix, I encourage any and all suggestions for shows and films alike of any genre. Currently, I'm watching "That 70s Show," "Daredevil," and the occasional "Bob's Burgers" or "Ouran High School Host Club." But tell me about your favorite comedy, anime, drama, mystery, etcetera. I'm pretty much open to anything (as long as it doesn't take place in a hospital...)

Speaking of which...

5. Biggest Fears

I have an irrational fear of hospitals, spiders, boy scout uniforms, and the mannequin characters that Old Navy used to have in every store. Thank goodness they discontinued that line of advertising so I can finally shop in there without my mom again.

6. Guilty Pleasures

Sort of along those same lines, tell me all about your guiltiest pleasures! What's something that you love but might be a little too embarrassed to admit? Here, I'll go first (but you have to promise not to tell anyone, got it?) There's a YouTube series called, "Dragon Ball Abridged" that makes me laugh more than anything else. (Phew, glad I got that off my chest to someone I really trust.)

7. Music

As obvious as this one might seem, I truly believe that music is one of the most powerful mediums of connection. Lately (as stated above) I keep going back to a lot of early 2000s songs ("All Star", "1985") but I've consistently had Bruce Spingsteen's "Born to Run" stuck in my head for the past week or so. Not really sure why, but hey, could be a lot worse.

8. Food

Food is amazing. Always talk to me about food. Always give me food. I love food. (I love free food even more, but any food will do, honestly.)

9. Dresses with Pockets

The best invention ever and you cannot convince me otherwise. Let's discuss how much better dresses are when the are made with a special spot to put your phone, gum, taser, pens, etcetera.

10. Lin-Manuel Miranda

What did we ever do to deserve a man like Lin? I could talk about the creator of Hamilton all day.

11. The Merits of Coconut Oil

I've actually never used it before myself not in lotion form, but I've heard it's great!

12. My Left Foot

Either the movie (which I have never seen but I know stars Daniel Day-Lewis) or the actual body part. Both work.

13. Mewtwo

Are they ever going to release it into the world of Pokémon Go? We may never know.

14. Bees

Did you know that they're dying at an alarming rate? That's scary, man.

15. Ricky Gervais in a Bathtub

Just Google it. Trust me on this, it's not what you think.

16. Whatever Makes YOU Happy

Cheesy? Yes. Effective? Absolutely. (As long as what makes you happy is not the 2016 Presidential Election but who are we really trying to kid here anyways? No one's going to be happy by the end of this.)

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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16 Conversation Topics Besides The Election

Never want to hear another word about Hillary or Trump ever again? Me neither.

1. Puppies

2. The Weather

3. Memes

4. Movies/TV Shows

5. Biggest Fears

6. Guilty Pleasures

7. Music

8. Food

9. Dresses with Pockets

10. Lin-Manuel Miranda

11. The Merits of Coconut Oil

12. My Left Foot

13. Mewtwo

14. Bees

15. Ricky Gervais in a Bathtub

16. Whatever Makes YOU Happy

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We don't buy into these... just like how we don't buy our friends.

8. "The whole philanthropy thing isn't real, right?"

7. "I don't need to buy my friends."

6. "Oh, so I'll bet you love to drink."

5. "Can you tell me some of your secrets?"

4. "What do you do at your meetings?"

3. "Do you guys haze really badly?"

2. "Is it just like in the movies?"

1. "Sororities are so basic."

There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

1. You get excited when the parents purchase season passes to the pool.

2. You've become friends with the stay-at-home moms in town.

3. You get a chance to eat "kid foods" again.

4. You've traded in your cute purse for a large tote bag.

5. You have at least one car seat in your backseat.

6. Their nap time is your happy time.

7. Lunch time can be a disaster.

8. You have to play the same board games repeatedly.

9. You catch yourself using the same lines your parents once told you.

10. Your "mom-mode" kicks in at times.

11. Your heart melts a little when they do something cute.

You'll never find any souvenirs with your name on it

1. You know you are up next when the teacher pauses while taking attendance

2. When “I’m going to do my very best to make sure I know all your names” is said, it may or may be an empty promise

3. “Wow! That sounds so cool! Where is your family from?”

4. You dread when people ask you to repeat your name over and over because it “sounds so cool when you say it”

5. There’s a 50/50 chance that your name will come back either correct or incorrect at Starbucks

6. People try to find shorter, easier nicknames for you instead of calling you by your actual name

7. When someone famous or fictional character shares your name, you get so happy

8. “What’s your name?” “It’s [name]” “I’m sorry, what was it again?”

9. You’ve pretty much seen every misspelling and heard every mispronunciation of your name throughout your life

10. When you find another person with an “ethnic” sounding name, you both get excited

11. Despite the struggles, your name is pretty unique… just like you

Can I be excused for the rest of my life?

Don't Be That Person

1. “Oh, so you/your family are immigrants!”

2. “Is Puerto Rico near Mexico?”

3. “Do you speak Puerto Rican?”

4. “You look too light/dark to be Puerto Rican.”

5. “Do I need my passport to go to Puerto Rico?”

6. “Geez, you are obsessed with your flag. We get it, you’re Puerto Rican.”

7. “Why are you so loud?”

8. “So does your family know English?”

9. “Oh my god, Puerto Ricans are so spicy.”

10. “So did you eat a lot of tacos?”

11. “Are you Mexican?”

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