There’s a real art to asking good questions.
Some successfully hone their art professionally, learning how to elicit a revealing response and prompt intelligent conversation with practice.
To me, this is impressive in and of itself.
However, my intrigue is truly sparked by those for whom questions come naturally.
These curious Georges probably wouldn’t consider themselves especially adroit.
But as with many things, genius is more readily spotted by onlookers and outsiders.
The questions I like are thoughtful ones; the kind that really convey genuine interest, which is perhaps the key to ingenious inquisition.
Whilst they may not be revelatory, I’ve particularly enjoyed pondering the following two of late:
What age do you feel?
What would you have done if you didn’t have the job you currently have and studied what you did at uni?
Posing the first to everyone, rather than just those we consider elderly, is inspired.
The second may be more predictable, but it never fails to ignite a conversation and one which invites an appreciation of people as multifaceted, undefined by any one attribute or title.
I’ve always regarded myself as someone who lacks creative flair when it comes to enquiring.
It’s not because I’m not interested, but because I’m overly fearful of appearing as though I’m prying.
That’s why the people who probe the world with sensitivity stir such admiration in me.
My sister has always had a knack for it.
I remember watching the news when we were tweenagers and she would always conduct an incisive, considered investigation in an effort to make sense of the footage flashing before her.
She was the definition of an inquisitive child.
My other sister is spectacularly observant.
I remember her noticing aspects of the world when we were infants that had passed the rest of my family by, her careful gaze taking in the lives of our fellow human beings, only to recount and question the day’s scenes with us at home later that night.
She too was the definition of an inquisitive child.
Although I shared, and indeed share, their honest curiosity for endless elements of life, I feel I’m more likely to be found quietly answering my queries by reading or researching.
I hope my propensity for voicing questions and ensuring they are as smart as those of the people I hold in high esteem improves in time.
Because questions are all about inviting new perspectives.
They are a way to show willing; a willingness to learn from another’s lived experience, something which has always been worthwhile, but now is even more possible, purposeful and important.
Curiosity didn’t kill the cat.
On the contrary, curiosity keeps your eyes open.
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