I know there are many seasoned pen pallers here at WAP. Some of you have written to pals for years. I've been at this for around three years. I know that sometimes for me, I want to ask questions of my pals... you know, just to make "better" and "more interesting" conversation. I was wondering if any of you would like to share some of the questions that you ask your pals in getting to know them?
I'll start with 5 of the questions that I have used in the past...

1.) What is the one thing you wold most like to change about the world? **This one leads to weeks of great conversations. :0)

2.) What is the best thing about your youth? ** I have shared so many funny stories between my pals and I by asking this question. Another great conversation starter.

3.) What single word best describes you? **The answer to this one is short, but it can be very interesting in learning how your pal views himself.

4.) What is the one thing you have been most proud of in life?

5.) In which year of your life do you feel that you changed the most? ** Another one that makes for interesting, not to mention weeks of great conversation.

Those are just a few that I have used that I felt I would share.
I thought this would be a great thread to start. We can all use pointers for conversation when writing to our pals. I know, I am always open to suggestions and pointers.

Miranda :0)

Hi, Miranda! here is a great site for conversation starters! Every month, new questions are added! Enjoy!!

http://www.corsinet.com/braincandy/question.html

Miranda those are actually great qeustions, I really like #5 - I'm going to include that one in my letters tomorrow! I write Mondays and Thursdays. And thanks for that link flagirl :-}

Thank you KoolKitty and Flagirl, this is a great idea for a thread.
I am lucky though, my pp is very chatty which makes answering his letters very easy but I do like #4.

* Move over guys - the Queen of Questions just entered the room (grin) *

Whatever you do, try to mix serious and funny questions, because you never know what's around the corner and by asking serious questions only you could wear a person out!

Fun questions:

1. Your favourite character from the Muppet Show (or any other childhood show)

2. If you were to be in a movie, what kind of movie would it be and what kind of role would you like to play (and why)

3. If you were to show me around [...] (larger city in the area he grew up in), where would you take me and what would we do all day (detailed - including place to have dinner)

4. Describe your dreamdate (detailed)

5. If you were to leave the States for ever, what would you miss (apart from family and friends)

Serious questions:

1. If you have a child, what would you do differently from your parents (or whoever raised him) to prevent that child from going to prison

2. Before you die you're able to address three people from your life. Who would you talk to (and why) if you could
- thank one person for something he/she did for you
- forgive one person for something he/she has done to you
- apologize to one person for something you did to him/her

3. Worst case of discrimination you've ever experienced

4. Most violent situation you've ever been in

5. How are you different now from the person you were when you went to prison

Zosja.....Those are great questions!! So...Who's your favorite muppet?? Mine was Bozzy the piano playing dog (1st) than Miss Piggy..cause she's so sassy!! (Don't ya just love those Pizza Hut commercial!)

Kelser, I drive my favourite penpal nuts with all my crazy questions, it's hard coming up with new ones all the time and usually the questions from existing lists are quite boring (but I do like the ones from the link given above). Anyway, I've asked him lots of questions...if I come up with the ones I've asked him, I'll write them down here.

My favourite muppet? Oeh, can't choose! I liked Pigs in Space, the Swedish Chef, Miss Piggy (you gotta love that gal) and the odd looking assistent of that scientist (the one who can only say mee-mee-mee or something?). My guy loved Gonzo the Great...ugly little bird but adorable...

Okay, another bunch of questions:

Fun questions:

1. About tattoos. Would he ever get a tattoo with the name of a girlfriend. Would he consider having a(nother) tattoo and what kind would it be. If he already has (a) tattoo(s): why did he get that particular one. How did his family react when they found out about the tattoo(s)

2. Best childhood memory

3. Best holiday ever

4. What's the one country you would like to visit someday and why

5. If you could be a woman / invisible (if being a woman would be too weird for them to imagine) for one day, how would you spend that day

6. What's your most valuable posession (spelling? I'm too lazy to look it up)

Serious questions:

1. If you knew you only had another week to live, what would you do during that week

2. What is your / your family's opinion on intercultural/racial relationships

3. What have you learned about yourself from past relationships

4. What will be the hardest part about returning to society

5. How would you respond if your son or daughter would tell you that he/she is homosexual. Would you visit the house he/she's sharing with his/her lover. Would the partner of your son/daughter be welcome in your house

6. Would you want to have a gun in your house after your release from prison. Would it make a difference if you had children living with you

I think these questions are really great and will use them. A while back I got an email full with questions if anyone would like them send me a quick email as it is way to many to post here. annaf@jerseymail.co.uk

This is some great information! I have only been writing to my PPs for a little over a month now, and because we're just getting to know each other, the conversation has come real easy. But I did wonder, as time goes on, if I (or they) would have trouble keeping the conversations flowing.

Since I joined the Forum, I sure have gotten a lot of good information on here!