## The Importance of Questioning Skills When meeting your in-laws, such as your grandparents-in-law or siblings-in-law, here's a summary of conversation and small talk topics.

2022.12.20 published

Meeting His Grandparents and Siblings＊

Hello, I'm Yuki from Marry.

Recently, I had the opportunity to meet my husband’s grandparents and siblings for the first time since getting married.

I had already met my in-laws before marriage during our greeting and family meeting, but it was my first time meeting his grandfather, grandmother, and siblings.

Looking back, I wish I had thought of more conversation topics specifically for grandparents and siblings...

After all, conversations tend to stall when one topic ends or when the food arrives, so it's important to have a stash of themes or questions to bring up naturally at those moments.

For me, actively engaging in conversation brought a lot of joy to my grandfather and grandmother.

(I think many people feel this way!)

It seems a good idea to come up with plenty of conversation starters as well as a way to bond with them.

Here are some examples of topics you can discuss.

Topics to talk about with In-laws＊

【1】

What should I call you?

(Confirming how to address them from the outset will make it easier to engage in conversation later.)

【2】

From your perspective, what kind of child was [husband's name]?

【3】

When did you two get married?

How many years have you been married?

Where did you meet?

(It would be great if you could continue the conversation by talking about that time...)

【4】

Have you always lived in this area?

When was your current house built?

(Stories from the past might excite the grandchild as they might not know about them.)

【5】

Do you have any siblings?

(In the grandparents’ generation, it was common to have many siblings. In my case, my husband's grandfather is the eldest of seven siblings, and he happily shared stories about who is living where and doing well...)

【6】

Do you have any hobbies or interests?

【7】

What kind of work did you do?

【8】

You seem healthy; do you exercise, watch your diet, or do anything special for your health?

【9】

What kind of sibling was [husband's name] with you (his siblings)?

【10】

Do you have any memories of [husband's name] when he was little?

Topics to talk about with Siblings＊

【1】

What kind of brother (or sister) was [husband’s name]?

【2】

What do you usually talk about when you meet up as siblings?

【3】

Have you always been close, or did you used to fight?

【4】

What do you usually do on your days off work?

【5】

I heard that [husband’s name] played tennis during school; did you do any sports?

【6】

(If married)

What kind of person is your husband (or wife)?

Being Good at Small Talk is Powerful＊

What I've introduced here are solid topics to discuss not just with family but also with new acquaintances...

Being able to make small talk like this will surely create a warm atmosphere.

When meeting in-laws and siblings, it's definitely good to have a few conversation topics or questions planned so you won’t regret it later.

(By the way)

I hosted a dinner in a private room at a hotel restaurant with my husband’s grandparents and siblings…

(I thought a private room would allow us to relax without worrying about others around us.)

However, in a private room, if there’s no conversation, the silence can feel even more pronounced...

Without windows, there were times I felt awkward not being able to look outside and see the scenery.

I thought that in a spacious restaurant, a private room might not even be necessary, so I wanted to share that!＊