I'm just going to say flat out that I hate chit-chat. Of course, I want to know how people are doing when I'm talking to them. But I also want to have conversations with more substance. It's definitely a challenge: how do you bring up open-ended, multi-faceted, sometimes difficult topics with people in everyday conversation? I don't know if I have the answer to that yet. But here are a few questions I want to ask people that go beyond "how are you":

1. Where are you from and what's it like there?

2. Do you have siblings? What are they like?

3. If you could drop everything and go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go and why?

4. Have you seen any good movies lately? Why did you like it?

5. What is your favorite song, either right now or of all time?

6. What are your parents/guardians like?

7. What is your view on religion/spirituality?

8. What is your absolute dream job?

9. What is the best book or story you've ever read?

10. What's your favorite food?

11. Where's your favorite place to shop?

12. If a genie gave you three wishes, what would you ask for?

13. What's the best or most memorable vacation you've ever taken?

14. How did you meet your best friend?

15. Why did you choose to go to the college you did?

16. How many states and countries have you been to?

17. Who is the best teacher/professor you've ever had?

18. What's your "happy place?"

19. What was your favorite subject in school and why?

20. If you could have a meal with a famous person (dead or alive), who would it be?

21. If you have a significant other, how did you meet them?

22. What is your favorite holiday and why?