Favourite Things

Glenn

Some years ago a group of us having significant birthdays in the same year had a weekend away and we compiled a playlist. It was each person’s five favourite songs and one popular song they detested. It was fun to identify the different tastes of people from similar backgrounds. Especially when one person’s absolute favourite was another’s nominated detestation. I think a decade on we would make different choices.

Ha, interesting! Whenever I'm asked what my favorite thing is I actually feel nice, because I feel that the other person is looking for an iota of common ground for us to step on and connect. I don't have single favorite thing though, so I invariably end up saying so and proceed to discuss several things I like, also in the pursuit of common ground :) Personal least favorite question by now—I've been a migrant for almost nine years now—is definitely "where are you from", when they are the first words uttered in particular. I'm game for a Christmas Day / Boxing Day writers meeting as well, around the same time as last time or even a bit later :)

I’d be open for a Christmas Day / Boxing Day writers meeting if there is one ☺️

People always ask me what my tattoos mean and then are flabbergasted when I tell them that they don’t mean anything. And the few that do have meaning, I would never share with a random stranger just because it’s…personal! Maybe I’m being nitpicky, but a better way to ask the question would be “what made you want to get that?” Because that opens you up to talk about art and aesthetics and things that are much more interesting (to me at least). Everybody assumes every tattoo is some kind of tribute with a neat little story attached and that’s just not the case.

One that's just come up "would you like to write something in this-person-you-barely-know's leading card".

Well we all know our favourite comedian.....

Tim Parsons

It's not a question I hate, but I always struggle to answer. It's easier, often, to say that there are things I DON'T like. Sprouts. Beige. Soccer. Oops, now I'm a social outcast! But I don't ask those questions either, unless I'm trying to get recommendations (try emo-folk, it's disregarded but lovely and no, I just made that genre up, I think)

I think my least favourite is "where are you from?" It likely has something to do with being an immigrant and coming from a small satellite town off the A1. The questions you raised are difficult to answer as well because my favourite thing of most things will change with my mood, the day of the week, and whether the sun is out that day.

OMG I dislike being asked what my favorite anything is, as it’s always situational. What I favor is entirely dependent on my mood and changes by the moment.

Yes, though of course it’s hard to know if the asker assumes that, or if they’re just on autopilot making small talk. Some questions are so loaded purely because they get asked too much. Similar; asking if someone’s going to have more to eat, or if someone’s planning on having children, or having more children, or having MORE children.

Meagan

This time of year, my least favorite question is the "what are you doing for christmas?", as though not doing something "for christmas" is inherently wrong.

Also, Thankyou for calling me mysterious! I will take it as a compliment until and unless I turn out to be evil.

I think podcasts are only social media if they’re streaming live/receiving comments as they go. I feel that sort of collaborative real time group comment-process is what distinguishes social from trad media, but all the old newspapers are desperately trying to turn themselves into twitch streams or whatever, so the distinction is evaporating.

Oh no, I've never thought that deeply about favorites (except books: Harriet the Spy & Replay), now I'm starting to feel some anxiety about choices. Okay, books and color (grey WITH other colors), but other than that. Oh, and Airplane! as the movie. Huh, turns out I am very set in my ways. I think for you, though, people just want to know what you like because you're kind of mysterious. Like old-timey movie stars before there was social media or podcasts. Wait, are podcasts social media?