I’ve received comments asking for a list of questions that can be asked when we first meet people.  This is in reference to the What Is the First Impression I Give, entry for October 5, 2011.

Here are the 10 questions I memorized.  You may think of others.

Each area is different.  Because I live in Central Florida, the first question for us is always, “Where are you from?” (No one is actually from Central Florida.) It may not work for where you live.

2. How long have you lived here?
3. How long did you live there (the place from which they come)?
4. Do you have family in this area?
5. Do you have children? If so, how many? Do you have pictures? (This question may be too personal but you will know if it’s a good question to ask.)
6. What is your occupation? (It could be best to ask about a person’s occupation rather than about a person’s job because they may not be employed.)
7. Are you in school currently? (Best for a young person but clues will tell you if an older person attended a certain college by shirts or hats, question would be “Is this the school you attended?”)
8. If you are near food, I say, “I love chocolate. What your favorite dessert?”
9. This area has so much to do (or nothing to do). What do you usually do to pass time?
10. I’m a news junkie (or TV junkie or I have an aversion to TV). Do you watch much TV?
11. If you are in a place of business and the person is serving you, “This seems like a good place to work. Do you enjoy it here?”

The response you get from your first question will lead to others. When you run out of questions to ask, go back to your memorized list.

None of these questions ask for specific information that people will feel antsy about answering. As long as you keep your questions general, they will be happy to talk about themselves.  Remember you are a stranger.  Let him open the door to personal information.  I find that when a person becomes personal and opens up about his  life, I sit quietly and listen.  Then I tell him that I will pray.  I may or may not ask questions.

At times, I will ask, “Can I pray now? It doesn’t have to be spooky.  We don’t have to close our eyes or anything.”  Make your prayer several short sentences.  Something like this:  “Lord, you heard this concern.  You have the perfect answer.  Do a miracle in his life.  In Jesus’ name.”