The psychology of chat
This psychiatrist and author of The Positive Prescription argues that meaningful talk cultivates happiness.
Who is Dr. Samantha Boardman?
This legendary public market is famous for its "flying fish" and for being the home of the very first Starbucks.
What is Pike Place Market?
While "What" questions get simple answers, these two types of questions explore underlying motivations.
What are "Why" and "How" questions?
This pop star’s "Eras Tour" became the highest-grossing concert tour of all time, reportedly boosting the US economy by over $5 billion.
Who is Taylor Swift?
You should avoid discussing this personal "favorite" area to ensure you don't talk too much and fail to listen.
What is your favorite topic (e.g., your pet or hobby)?
Instead of viewing a dinner partner as dull, Dr. Boardman suggests asking yourself this specific mindset-shifting question.
What can I learn from them?
This social phenomenon describes the perceived difficulty of making new friends or moving past "small talk" with long-time Seattle residents.
What is the Seattle Freeze?
To avoid one-word replies, you should ask these types of questions rather than "checklist" questions.
What are open-ended questions?
He is the God of Mischief and the adopted brother of Thor.
Who is Loki?
To show you are genuinely caring, you should respond by doing this to the conversation to move it forward.
What is paraphrasing and reflecting?
According to Dr. Boardman, we seek out substantive conversation because we are these two types of "animals."
What are meaning-seeking and social animals?
This quirky Fremont statue, built under the Aurora Bridge in 1990, is actually clutching a real-life Volkswagen Beetle.
What is the Fremont Troll?
When speaking to a child, you might replace "How was your day?" with this more specific, curiosity-driven question.
What is "Did anything surprise you today?"
This Liverpool quartet took America by storm in 1964 with hits like "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "She Loves You.
Who are The Beatles?
Doing this "immediately" when someone mentions a shared interest like skiing is considered "hijacking" the conversation.
What is interrupting?
Studies show that humans generally prefer "deep" discussions over this weather-centric type of chitchat.
What is idle chitchat (or "keeping it light")?
Beneath the streets of Pioneer Square lies this "time capsule" of forgotten storefronts and sidewalks, created after the Great Fire of 1889.
What is the Seattle Underground?
Oscar Wilde noted that we all admire the wisdom of people who come to us for this three-word request.
What is "Asking for advice"?
Beyoncé made history in 2024 by becoming the first Black woman to top the Billboard Country Albums chart with this release.
What is Cowboy Carter?
These three specific physical cues (body language) communicate interest to the person speaking.
What are eye contact, nodding, and leaning in?
This 2014 study proved that the mere presence of a mobile device lowers the quality and fulfillment of a conversation.
What is "The iPhone Effect"?
This specific "style" of hot dog, a late-night staple in Capitol Hill, is defined by the unconventional addition of cream cheese and grilled onions.
What is a Seattle Dog?
Dr. Boardman suggests using these three "magic words" to encourage a speaker to elaborate on a passion.
What is "Tell me more"?
This "blind box" collectible toy, famously seen with K-pop star Lisa, became the most sought-after (and sold-out) accessory of 2025 and 2026.
What is a Labubu?
If you are expecting an urgent work email, you should do this instead of just checking your phone mindlessly.
What is letting the other person know (or creating a special notification)?