One of those Ask Me Anythings to a celeb in today's Guardian.
And really,
Does having a food allergy in 2018 make one more interesting? (the enquirer, we note, is 30, not 15).
(Why is this even a question?)
Response: 'It’s a conversation-starter.'
Well, I can see circumstances in which one might start the conversation thusly, but probably in the ( Read more... )

Had an unexpectedly agreeable time at the conference dinner last night, which was not entirely down to the amazing location with views across the Thames.
Unusually pleasant and thought-provoking conversation with the person I was next to, in which the concept of 'pre-tirement' was mentioned - individuals who want to focus on the bits of their job ( Read more... )

Still thinking about this post and the responses, including one that is in a locked post of
( Read more... )

Yesterday, Oliver Burkeman in the Guardian Weekend magazine: Can we make ourselves interesting? Boringness in a conversation partner is much easier to define than interestingness.
Everyone would like to be thought of as interesting, but the quest is fraught with dangers. "Before you read this discussion of how we can become more interesting," wrote ( Read more... )