5001 QUESTIONS FOR HOURS OF CONVERSATION

Do you know about dogs that are trained to help people in wheelchairs?. Do you know any websites for people who want to adopt animals as pets?. What's your opinion about people wearing a

5001 Questions for Hours of

Conversation

Roman Christopher Roskowinski

Have you ever seen a dog guiding a blind person?

How does it help?

How do you think it is trained?

Do you know about dogs that are trained to help people in wheelchairs?

How long do you think it takes to train a dog for that?

Do you think other animals can render the same kind of service?

What dogs are used as police dogs?

Do you know any story about a dog that was a hero?

What do think about using animals for medical research?

Do you think the animals suffer?

If animals weren't used for medical research, how would experiments be performed?

Do you think animals dream in their sleep?

Do you think they have souls?

Do you think it's right to test cosmetics on animals?

What other tests are performed on animals?

Do you agree with this?

Do you think it's OK to keep wild animals in a zoo?

Is it a way to preserve them from extinction?

Are they always treated well?

What's your opinion about animals in circuses?

Are they treated better or worse than in a zoo?

Would you go to a circus that featured animals?

Are there animals' rights groups where you live?

How do they protest against using animals for experiments?

What are some organizations that protect animals?

How do they finance their projects?

Do you know any websites for people who want to adopt animals

as pets?

Are there laws that protect animals in your country?

What's your opinion about people wearing animal fur?

What's the reason that people still insist on wearing them?

Is anything being done to stop it?

Do you think that animals that have been kept in captivity all their lives should be freed?

Where could they be freed?

How could they adapt to wildlife again?

Do you think having a pet is a violation of an animal's rights?

What do you think of people who abandon pets?

Do you think it's okay to eat meat?

Is there any kind of meat you wouldn't eat?

What animals have become famous?

What did they do to become famous?

Having Fun (30)

Have you ever ridden a horse?

How about a camel?

Have you ever ridden any (other) animal?

When was the last time you went to a zoo?

Where was it?

Is it the nearest to your home?

How much does it cost to get in?

How often do you go there?

What animals did you like best?

How many different zoos have you been too?

Which one did you like the best?

Do you think it's right to keep animals in zoos?

What's a safari?

Have you ever been on a safari?

Would you like to go on one (again)?

Have you ever been to a farm?

What animals were there?

Did you feed any of them?

Have you ever drunk milk straight from a cow? Are there horse races in your country?

Have you ever been to one?

What do you think about betting on horses? Are there any kinds of animal races in your country?

What animals are used in the race?

Do people bet on them?

Where are there animal fights?

Do the animals sometimes "fight to death"? Have you ever seen a bullfight?

In what countries are bullfights common? Are you for or against bullfights?

Pets (60)

Do you have a pet?

(If yes) What pet do you have?

What kind is it?

How old is it?

What's its name?

Do you ever talk to your pet?

What do you say?

Do you love your pet?

What was the best moment with your pet?

What was the worst moment with your pet?

How often do you give your pet a bath or shower?

Is your pet healthy?

Has your pet been properly vaccinated?

What joy does your pet bring you?

Do only you take care of it?

How much do you spend on your pet?

What kind of personality does your pet have? Does it have a behavior problem?

(If no) Would you like to have a pet?

What pet would you like to have?

What would you name it?

What would you feed it?

Where would you take it?

What kinds of people prefer dogs?

Are all dogs good with children?

Which are the best?

Which are not recommended for children?

Are dogs good companions for old people?

What kinds of people prefer cats?

Can you play with a cat like a dog?

What do cats do that dogs don't?

Are cats better for old people than dogs?

What pets shouldn't be kept inside?

What are some unusual pets in your country?

Do you know anyone who has one?

Would you like to have one?

Do you prefer cats or dogs?

Do more people dislike dogs or cats?

Have you ever been bitten by a dog?

What are some popular pets in your country?

What animals can you see around here in their natural habitat?

Do you know anyone who has a pet horse?

What's the best pet in your opinion?

What are the pros and cons of keeping a pet?

What special care do pets demand?

What can children learn by having a pet?

Do you think some people spend too much money on pets?

Do some people prefer pets to children?

Do you know anybody like this?

Do you know anyone who has a wild animal as a pet?

Is any special permit necessary to have one?

What different kind of care do they need?

Have you ever washed a dog?

(if yes) Where did you wash it?

Did you use hot or cold water?

Did you use soap or shampoo?

Did the dog traditionally shake itself?

Did you get wet?

(if no) Would you like to do that?

Do you think it would be an interesting experience?

Other (30)

What's your favorite animal?

What animal do you think is the scariest?

Where's its natural habitat?

What other animals are you afraid of?

What's the funniest animal in your opinion?

What funny things does it do?

What's the strangest animal you know?

Is it stranger than a camel?

What's the cutest animal in your opinion?

Are young animals as cute as adult ones?

What's the ugliest animal you’ve seen?

Is it uglier than a bat?

What animals are dangerous?

What's the largest animal on Earth?

Do you know what the smallest animal on Earth is?

Are you afraid of snakes?

Have you ever seen one face to face?

What do you think of spiders?

Do you know how many legs a spider has?

How many lives do they say a cat has?

How many birds do you know that can't fly?

If you were a bird in your country, would you fly south for the winter?

What animal is your country's symbol?

How was it chosen?

Do you think it really represents your country?

Have you ever hurt an animal?

How are animals transported by plane?

Do some people treat animals better than humans?

What do you think of that?

Do you think that if an animal is suffering it should be "put to sleep"?

Art

"This most valuable of arts, the art of living."

Cicero (106-43 B.C)

Painting (30)

Have you ever made a painting?

(if yes) What did you paint?

Did it come out nice?

What did you do with the painting?

(if no) Haven't you ever made a painting at school?

What would you paint if you were a painter?

Do you think you would be famous?

Have you ever used watercolors?

How about oil paint?

Do you know how to draw?

What kinds of drawings do you know how to make?

Do you prefer to draw people, animals or scenery?

What kinds of paintings do you like?

What paintings do you have at home?

Are they the originals?

What do you think of nude painting?

What's the difference between nude painting and pornography? Who are some famous painters in your country?

Have you ever seen their work?

What do they paint about?

Do you like to sketch?

Do you have a sketchbook?

What do you think of graffiti?

Do you think it's real art?

What does the "artist" want to express?

Where can you usually see graffiti?

Do you approve this form of expression?

Should those who do that be punished?

Should there be specific places for doing that?

What graffiti would you like to make?

Dance (10)

Do you consider dance an art?

What's the most beautiful kind of dance in your opinion?

What do you think of dancing to rap or funk music?

Is that art?

Do you know any names of classical ballet dancers?

Are there many famous ones in your country?

What do you think of tap-dancing?

Have you ever tried to tap-dance?

Do you know anyone who tap-dances?

How long do you think it takes to learn how to tap-dance?

Museums (10)

When was the last time you went to a museum?

What museum was it?

Where's that museum?

What art did you see?

Are there many museums in your city?

Do you usually visit them?

What's the most visited museum in your city?

What can you see there?

What's the most famous museum in the world?

How about in your country?

Theater (20)

When was the last time you went to the theater?

What play did you watch?

Did you enjoy it?

What was it about?

Is it common to go to the theater in your city?

Have you ever watched a musical on Broadway?

(if yes) Which one did you watch?

Did you like it?

Describe it

Would you go again?

(if no) Would you like to watch one?

Do you know the names of any musicals?

What clothes would you wear to the theater?

How many theaters are there in your city?

Where's the nearest one?

What was the last play presented there?

Do many people you know go to the theater?

Do you think actors and actresses have to be really go to give live performances?

What's the main difference between a live performance and a recorded one?

Do they need to rehearse more?

Other (20)

What's your definition of art?

What's the most beautiful kind of art you know?

Do you think that critics are always right?

How do they come to their conclusions?

Do you like modem art?

Do you think people really understand the artist's idea?

Are there many art exhibitions in your city?

Do you usually go?

What kind of art exhibitions do you like?

Who is the most famous artist in your country?

What art is he/she famous for?

Do you appreciate sculptures?

What material do sculptors use?

What's the most beautiful sculpture you've seen?

How big was it?

Do you know any art magazines?

Do you read any?

Do you visit any art sites?

Would life be the same without art?

What were the first expressions of art by mankind?

Charity

"Better is he who gives little to charity from money honestly earned than he who gives much from dishonestly gained wealth." Midrash - Rabbinical writings (4 th century B.C – 12 th century A.D.)

Giving (30)

Do you give money to beggars on the street?

(if yes) How much do you usually give?

Do you think about what he/she is going to do with the money? (if no) Do you think they should just "get a job"?

How do you feel when you see a beggar with a disability?

Do you give more?

How about to an elderly beggar?

If you see a blind beggar, do ever doubt he/she is blind?

Do beggars with babies touch you more?

Do you feel sorry for the baby?

Can you always believe in their stories?

What do you think about children begging?

Don't you just think they're just working for their lazy parents? Have you ever offered food instead of money?

How about work instead of money?

When children work late at night selling something, is that a form of begging?

Is that acceptable?

Do you sometimes buy whatever they are selling just to help?

Do you think they need to sell or they are just earning extra money?

Do they have a future by doing this?

Is performing on the street another way of begging?

Do you stop to watch or do you just give money?

If you don't like their performance, do you give money anyway? Would you rather give money to beggars or to street performers?

In what other situations do you give money?

Do you ever give money to charity?

How much do/would you give?

Have you ever donated money to a TV campaign?

Do you believe all organizations really help those in need?

How can you suspect if an organization is dishonest?

Governmental Help (20)

How does the government help those really in need?

Do you think there should be more help?

How could the government help more?

Do you think the government should give them money?

(if yes) How much should those in need receive?

If beggars received money on a regular basis, would this make them lazy?

Should there be a special place for beggars?

What could this place offer?

Who should be in charge of that place?

Should just anybody be allowed to go to that place?

What would the criterion be to accept the beggars?

What are some reasons that they would not want to use such a place?

Should the government alone support that place?

What would happen if beggars got a job?

Do you think it would reduce the number of beggars on the street?

Are there some beggars who would never accept a job?

Do you think that emigration contributes to the number of beggars?

Should there be laws to regulate emigration?

What do you think of some cities that pay beggars return to their hometown?

Is some of the money we pay in taxes used to help beggars?

Organizations (10)

What charity organizations do you know?

Are they national or international organizations?

Do you donate anything to them?

Do you think a very large charity organization is a good idea?

What are some of the advantages?

How about the disadvantages?

Is a small local charity organization more efficient?

Can they understand the local problems better?

What should be done to those responsible for dishonest organizations?

Do you know any dishonest organizations?

Climate

"Some are weatherwise, some are otherwise."

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)

Bad Weather (30)

What's your definition of bad weather?

How does it make you feel?

How often do you get that kind of weather?

How can bad weather affect your pocket?

Who benefits from bad weather?

Where are floods more common?

Do you have any problems with them?

What's the worst flood you've heard of?

Are droughts a problem in your country?

In what season are droughts more common?

What financial loss do droughts cause?

Are there hurricanes where you live?

Where (else) are hurricanes common?

What should you do when there is a hurricane warning?

Do you know how names of hurricanes are chosen?

What problems can snowstorms cause?

Have you ever been caught in a snowstorm?

What precautions must be taken while driving in a snowstorm?

Is there always thunder and lightning when it rains?

Are you afraid of lightning or thunder?

What shouldn't you do when there's lightning?

What bad weather causes more casualties?

What preventive actions can be taken?

How are your local authorities prepared for bad climatic surprises?

When was the last time they had to act?

Do you think global warming is responsible for new severe weather conditions?

Is the weather changing to better or worse?

Where do you get the weather forecast?

Do you believe in meteorologists?

Has a bad weather forecast ever caused you trouble?

Good Weather (10)

What is good weather to you?

Do you think everyone agrees with you?

How does it make you feel?

What can you do in good weather?

What's the ideal temperature for you?

About how many months a year do you get that?

What's good winter weather?

How about good summer weather?

What outdoor activities need good weather?

What country has the best weather in your opinion?

Seasons (20)

What are the four seasons?

What's your favorite season?

What can you do then?

Are there any special sports you can practice?

Are there any special traditions associated with different seasons in your country?

Is there a party or festival to welcome any season?

What fruits and vegetables are more common in each season in your country?

In what season does it rain most in your country?

How many inches/centimeters does it rain per year/month?

Do some people feel sad when it's raining?

What's the average temperature in the summer?

How about in the winter?

What activities are better to do in each season?

Is there a best season to get married?

Do you believe that the seasons are changing?

Do you know any place where all four seasons are similar?

Are there many rainstorms in the summer in your country?

And snowstorms in the winter?

Do you sometimes have the four seasons in one day?

What should you take when you go out?

Other (20)

Which do you prefer, hot or cold weather?

Do you think the weather is changing in your country?

Is it changing in the world?

Do you think man contributes to weather changes?

Do you know any stories about weather?

What kind of climate do you prefer when choosing a place to go on vacation?

Have you ever seen snow?

(if yes) Do you like it?

Does it snow in your country?

(if yes) Do tourists visit the places where it snows?

Who has more fun in the snow?

Is there frost?

What's your favorite day of the week?

Do some people prefer the morning?

What's better to do in the morning?

Do some people prefer the night?

What's better to do at night?

What's your favorite time of the day?

Have you ever watched a sunrise?

How about a sunset?

What are the benefits of a job like that?

Have you ever received a present that was a white elephant? (something useless)

What did you do with it?

Would you be ashamed to wave a white flag? (surrender)

Under what circumstance would you do it?

Would you like to spend a night at the White House? (official residence

of the US President)

How about having to live there?

Have you ever told a white lie? (a lie that brings no serious

consequences)

In what kind of situation would you tell one?

Do you think white meat is healthy? (poultry, fish, etc.)

How often do you eat it?

What dishes have egg whites as an ingredient? (the colorless part of an egg)

Do you know how to prepare them?

Are redheads common in your country? (someone with red hair)

Do they usually have freckles?

Do you like red-letter days? (holidays)

Are/Were there many red-letter days this year?

How often do you eat red meat? (beef, etc.)

Can red meat be substituted by anything?

Have you ever been caught red-handed? (committing a crime)

What should be done to those who are?

What do you think of companies that operate in the red? (showing financial loss)

How can they recover?

Have you ever painted the town red? (having extravagant entertainment)

If you won the lottery one day, how would you paint town red? Have you ever rolled out the red carpet at home? (receive very important visitor)

Has anyone ever done that for you?

What makes you see red? (uncontrollably angry)

What do you do to calm down?

What makes you feel blue? (depressed)

What makes you cheer up?

Are there real blue-blooded people in your country? (from noble family)

Do they really deserve a different kind of treatment?

What companies have blue-chip stock? (stock with high value)

Would you buy some if you could?

Have you ever been a blue-collar worker? (production worker)

Is it possible for one to reach the board of directors?

Do you always try to do blue-ribbon work? (highest quality)

Are people always recognized for that?

What is something you do once in a blue moon? (very rarely)

Would you do it more often if you could?

How do you react to things that happen out of the blue? (suddenly and unexpectedly)

Give me an example

Do you have true blue friends? (very loyal)

Describe a situation in which you had evidence of that

Do you know how to make brownies? (rich chocolate cake)

Have you ever eaten one?

Would you say you have a brown thumb? (no skills at gardening)

Do you like to work in the garden?

What is something you're green at? (inexperienced)

How can you learn about it?

Is there a green belt in your country? (long extension of land used for agriculture)

How good is a green belt to a country's economy?

Have you ever been in a greenhouse? (building used for growing plants)

Would you like to have one at home?

Do you think you have a green thumb? (great skills at gardening)

What jobs require a green thumb?

Have you ever gotten a black eye? (an injured eye}

How would you disguise a black eye if you had to go to work or school?

Do you always drink black coffee? (without milk)

What's the best coffee you have ever drunk?

What are the main causes of blackheads? (kind of acne)

How can we get rid of them?

Do you have a blacklist? (list of undesirable people)

Do you think you're on anyone's blacklist?

Have you ever been blackmailed? (forced to pay to keep a secret)

Is blackmail a crime in your country?

What's sold on the black market in your country? (place where goods are sold illegally)

Have you ever bought anything on the black market?

Have you ever blacked out? (faint)

What are some causes of blacking out?

Is there a black sheep in your family? (undesirable person)

Do you believe every family has a black sheep?

Have you ever needed a blacksmith's service? (someone who makes and repairs iron items)

What do blacksmiths usually make?

How important are black boxes? (airplane performance recording device)

Couldn't the whole plane be made of a black box?

Have you ever had a black cloud hanging over your head? (excessive bad luck)

Do you believe that nothing lasts forever?

Have you ever gotten black and blue? (covered with bruises)

What usually causes that?

What do you usually use your gray matter for? (brain, intelligence)

Does it seem that some people don't have gray matter?

Have you ever received a pink slip? (job dismissal notification)

What would do you do if you received one?

Do you agree that every cloud has a silver lining? (nothing is as bad as

it seems)

Give me an example of this kind of situation

Do you ever get yellow? (scared)

In what situation does that happen?

Other (40)

What does white remind you of?

How about the other colors? (ask about one at a time)

What's your favorite color?

Have you ever changed your favorite color?

Do you hate any color?

Do you choose the color of the clothes you want to wear?

Do you choose a color according to the weather?

What color do you think looks best on you?

What color doesn't combine with you?

What's your favorite color for clothes?

How about for shoes?

How do colors affect a person's mood?

Do they affect you as well?

Do colors have different meanings in different cultures?

What do some colors mean in your culture?

Do you know how many colors there are in a rainbow?

What are they?

What color is your national flag?

And your state flag?

How about your city flag?

What color is the money in your country?

What color is your house?

What's the best color for cars?

What color is your car?

What color toothbrushes do you have at home?

What color towels do you have at home?

What color is terrible for curtains?

What are possible colors for hair?

What color is your hair originally?

What do you think of two-colored hair?

Do you dream in color or in black and white?

When black and white movies are colorized, do you think they lose anything?

Do you know what colorblindness is?

What colors do the colorblind get mixed up?

Do you know anyone who is colorblind?

Is colorblindness more common among men or women?

What animals can see in color?

What do you think about dying an animal's fur?

Does writing in different colors have any special meaning?

What colors mean what?

Culture

"Mass culture is the culture of distraction."

Andrei Sakharov (1921-1989)

Your Culture (20)

How would you define your culture?

What's the most interesting thing about it?

How much do you know about it?

What do you like about your culture?

What don't you like about it?

What's the strangest thing about it?

What are you proud about?

What would you change?

How was your culture originated?

About how long ago was that?

How can someone learn about his/her culture?

What is taught in school about it?

How do other people see your culture?

Is it a positive or negative view?

What is your culture famous for?

How do you greet people in your culture?

Is that very different from other cultures?

Who would you say represents your culture?

Who would never represent it?

Who do you admire most in your culture?

Other Cultures (20)

How can you learn about other cultures?

What interesting things do you know about other cultures?

Should everybody learn about other cultures?

Do you think that the best way to learn is traveling to that place? How long does it take to really understand another culture?

What is taught in school about other cultures?

Do you think that any culture is avoided in school?

Do you think cultures can change?

How can that happen?

How long does it take?

What is the strangest culture you know?

Do you consider it bizarre?

But do you still respect it?

Do you have friends from different cultures?

What cultures are they from?

When doing business, what can go wrong if you don't know about the other person's culture?

Do you know of any case like this?

What are some examples in which culture was imposed during colonization?

What can you say about that country's culture today?

Is it important for a family to maintain its customs and traditions?

Other (20)

What defines a culture?

How is culture related to history?

How do parents treat their children in different cultures?

Which one do you think is the best?

How are the elderly treated in different cultures?

How many different cultures are there in your country?

Where do they come from?

When a couple from different cultures gets married, what happens to the children's education?

Have you ever seen that happen?

Do you think you would have any problems if you had to live in another culture?

In what culture would you have more problems?

What would you do to adapt?

What's polite in your culture that isn't in others?

What's rude in yours but not in others?

What would you advise foreigners visiting your country for the first time?

What is a "cultural shock"?

What do you think is the strangest thing regarding weddings in other cultures?

How about eating habits?

How about holiday celebrations?

Are there any strange customs regarding the way of life?

Death

"After the game, the king and pawn go into the same box."

Italian Saying

After Death (10)

Do you believe in life after death?

What do you think happens when we die?

If you had to reincarnate into an animal, what animal would it be?

Do you believe we have a soul?

What do think happens to our soul when we die?

Do you think some people don't have a soul?

What are good things we can do for our soul?

Who do you think would mourn for you after your death?

Would you like to watch your funeral?

(if yes) What would you want to observe?

Death Itself (20)

Are you afraid of death?

What are the worst kinds of deaths?

How would you like to die?

Do you often think of death?

Do you want to know the day you'll die?

Would it change anything in your life?

What would you do?

Are "Living Wills" available where you live?

What happens if a person doesn't make a will?

Have you made a will?

Will you make one when you get older?

Who will you leave your things to?

How do you deal with the death of someone special?

What do you do?

What do you say?

How do people communicate someone has died?

How do doctors do that?

How do you say it?

What's the most common death in your country?

How can that be avoided?

Immortality (10)

What would happen if people never died?

Would you like to be immortal?

If you could stop growing old, how old would you like to be forever?

Do you think one can cheat death?

What do you know about cryogenics?

Would you undergo this technique if you had a terminal illness? Can cloning be a way of achieving immortality?

Do you know any stories about immortality?

What's your religious belief about immortality?

When will you be ready to die?

Suicide (20)

What do you think of suicide?

Do you think that there is anything worth dying for?

Would you really die for anyone?

(if yes) Whom would you die for?

Would you die for your country?

(if no) Whom would you never die for?

What do you think of people who die for religious beliefs?

What are the reasons for dying for something?

When a person has a terminal sickness, do you think he/she has the right to choose to die?

Is doctor-assisted suicide an option in your country?

Would you consider this for yourself if you were suffering?

How about for someone in your family?

What if science were studying a cure to the illness?

Do you know anybody who wants to die?

(if yes) Does he/she talk about death?

What are suicidal symptoms?

Do you think suicide is an act of courage or cowardice?

What famous people committed suicide?

What are some common ways of committing suicide?

How can one never commit suicide? (holding your own breath)

Upon Dying (30)

Are there special ceremonies when a person dies?

What happens to the person's remains after death?

Would you like to be cremated or traditionally buried?

(if buried) Where would you like to be buried?

What epigraph do you want?

What kind of casket would you like?

(if cremated) Where would you like your ashes to be kept?

Do you want your ashes to be spread somewhere?

Would you like your ashes to be part of a fireworks show?

How about sending your ashes into space?

What bureaucracy is involved in dying?

Where do you go to get all the documents?

Do you want your death published in the newspaper?

What is the legislation regarding organ donation where you live?

Are you a donator?

Do you think people should be donators without consent?

Is organ marketing a possibility where you live?

If you were a billionaire and someone in your family needed an organ, would you consider buying one?

If you bought an organ, would you like to know whom it came from?

Would you consider having someone killed in order to get the organ you needed?

Can you think of a situation in which the death of a person causes relief?

Describe the wake in your culture

What do you know about wakes in other cultures?

How long is the mourning period?

What is traditionally done then?

If you were on the death row, what would your last request be?

What would you request for your last meal?

If you could choose how you were going to die, what way would you choose?

Do you think people would like to die in their sleep?

Would you like to die?

Entertainment

"Nothing excellent can be done without leisure."

Andre Gide (1869-1951)

Movies (40)

Do you like horror movies?

Do you feel afraid when you watch them?

Do you have any problems with watching a scary movie alone at night?

Do you think children should be allowed to watch them?

What is the scariest movie you have ever seen?

What movies don't you like?

Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction movies?

What do you think of comedies?

Who is the funniest actor or actress in your opinion?

Who are your favorite actors and actresses?

What movies were they in?

Would you like to meet them?

What would you do or say?

What was the best movie you have ever seen?

What was it about?

Who was in it?

Who was the director?

How many times have you seen it?

Do you usually watch a movie more than once?

Do you prefer to watch a good movie again or try a new one?

How often do you go to the movies?

How much does a ticket cost?

Considering the price, do you think it's accessible to everyone? When you go to the movies, what do you like to eat?

What do you usually drink?

Do you think movie theaters make more money on food and drinks than on the movie itself?

How often do you rent movies?

What kind of movies do you rent?

How much does it cost to rent one?

Is movie making common in your country?

Do you like your national movies?

Do you think those movies really deserve all the Oscars they get?

What criterion do you think they use?

How should movies be rated?

What do you think of people who talk during movies at the cinema?

How about those who leave their cell phone on?

Who's your favorite movie director?

What movies has he/she made?

What's a matinee?

Have you ever gone to a matinee?

Television (80)

How many TVs are there at your home?

How big are they?

Do you have one in your bedroom?

Do you sometimes fall asleep watching television?

How often do you watch TV?

When do you usually watch it?

What's your favorite TV program?

When is it on?

How many hours do you watch TV a week?

What types of TV programs are the most popular in your country?

What's the worst TV program in your opinion?

How can a program like that still be on TV?

Are you going to watch TV tonight?

What are you going to watch?

What program do you never miss?

Do you ever watch cartoons?

Did you use to watch cartoons when you were a child? What was your favorite cartoon character?

Describe your favorite character

Should there be a time limit for children watching TV?

Is there too much violence on TV?

What can be done about violent programs on TV?

Do you think only violent programs are a problem?

How about programs with a sexual appeal?

Do you think TV can be educational?

What TV programs teach children?

Have you ever watched them?

How can TV be good?

How can it be bad?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of watching TV?

Do you have cable or satellite TV?

(if yes) Which one?

How much do you pay?

Is it worthwhile?

What are the advantages of having it?

(if no) Would you like to have it?

Do many people have it where you live?

Do you prefer to watch a movie at home or at the movies?

Do you prefer to watch a movie on TV or to rent one?

What's the difference?

Did you watch TV yesterday?

What did you watch?

Do you like to eat while watching TV?

How do TV channels make money?

Do you know how much it costs to broadcast a commercial? What do you think of TV commercials?

Do you pay attention to them?

Do they influence you?

Who do they influence the most?

Should some TV commercials be banned?

What's your favorite TV commercial?

Have you ever bought anything because of a TV commercial?

Do you know what subliminal messages are?

Do you think they are effective?

What do you think about naked (or almost naked) women in TV commercials?

Do cigarette commercials influence people to start smoking?

What about commercials about alcoholic drinks?

Who is the most popular TV entertainer in your country?

Do you know how much he/she earns?

Do you think he/she deserves so much?

Does television make people lazy?

Does TV relax you?

Does television make people not think?

Do you think that TV stops people from communicating?

What's your opinion about soap operas?

Do some people believe soap operas are true?

Have you ever followed a soap opera? 38

What are some famous ones in your country?

For about how long are they usually on?

Have you ever been on TV?

(if yes) What program was it?

For how long were you on?

Was that the only time?

(if no) What program would you like to be on?

Would you like to be interviewed?

What TV program of your own would you like to have?

Do you think artists look different in person?

How do they look different?

Can television be addictive?

(if yes) What are the symptoms?

Going Out (30)

What are the best places to go out during the day?

How about at night?

Which do you prefer?

When would you say "no" to an invitation to go out?

Has that ever happened?

Who would you always go out with?

Do you ever go out drinking with friends?

How often do you go out?

Do you always go to the same place?

Do you always remember that you should never drink and drive? How should this message be communicated?

Do you like to travel?

When do you usually travel?

Where do you like to travel?

What's your favorite night to go out?

Where do you usually go?

Who do you go with?

What time do you go back home?

Do you prefer to go to bars, snack bars or nightclubs?

What's the main difference among them?

How much does it cost for a couple to go to the movies and then have dinner at a restaurant?

Do you usually do that?

Do you usually spend that much?

Who usually pays, you, your companion or do you "go Dutch"? What are the advantages of always going to the same place?

How often do you try different places?

How long does it take you to try a new place after it opens?

Do you ever go out in another city?

Do you like going out alone, with one other person or in groups?

Have you ever gone out as a cicerone?

Other (60)

Do you ever go to amusement parks?

When was the last time?

Do you like to go on roller coasters?

What rides do you like?

Have you ever been to Disneyland?

Do you like to go to parties?

How often do you go?

What was the best party you have ever gone to?

What was the worst?

Do you go to every party you're invited to?

Do you like to host parties?

When was the last time you hosted a party?

How many people did you invite?

Was it a special occasion?

How much time in advance did you start the preparations? What preparations were necessary?

What's the stupidest form of entertainment?

What's the most intelligent?

Have you ever played computer games?

Which one is your favorite?

Which one don't you like?

When can you say someone is addicted to computer games?

Do you like board games?

Do you ever play them?

What board games are popular?

What games don't you like?

Do you like to gamble?

What kind of gambling is common in your country?

Do you like bingo?

Have you ever played bingo?

How do some people get addicted to bingo/gambling?

Have you ever gambled on a slot machine?

Have you ever watched a horserace?

What card games do you know?

How often do you play cards?

Do you ever play for money?

Do you like to entertain at home?

Who do you invite?

What food do you serve?

What drinks do you serve?

Do you prefer to have a barbecue or cook a dinner?

What do you do in your spare time?

Do you have any hobbies?

Have you ever collected anything?

What popular entertainment would you never spend a cent on?

What's the cheapest form of entertainment?

What's the most expensive?

Do you like to listen to the radio?

When do you listen to it?

What programs do you like?

What's your favorite radio station?

Are there any interesting news programs on the radio?

Where do you usually listen to the radio?

Do you ever listen to the radio in bed?

Does it help you fall asleep?

Do you prefer to listen to the radio or watch TV?

What restaurant would you like to go to now?

What would you order?

Compare entertainment 50 years ago and nowadays

How do you think entertainment will change in the next 50 years?

Fashion

"As soon as a fashion has caught on, it has outlived itself."

Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach (1830-1916)