The Little Book of Axolotl Wisdom: Live Your Life Like the World's Weirdest, Cutest Salamander by Jessica Allen

Author:Jessica Allen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ulysses Press
Published: 2022-12-06T00:00:00+00:00

20

UP YOUR CONVERSATION GAME

Some axolotl pet parents report that their creatures recognize them and will swim over to an outstretched hand for a nuzzle or pat. More likely, the axolotl associates the vibrations with food and zooms over to see what treats might be in store. Sorry, people.

With one another, axolotls communicate using chemical and visual signals, most often when mating. The strongest form of axolotl communication occurs at the cellular level: after a wound, an axolotl’s cells interact, grouping into what’s called a blastema. Cells inside a blastema “de-differentiate,” or shed their identity, and become similar to stem cells, thus enabling regrowth—exactly how this works is still a bit TBD for scientists (see axiom 12 on page 47 for a fuller discussion of an axolotl’s regenerative talents). Okay, I’m not going to go on and on here about how conversation is becoming a lost art. (But it kinda is.) I’m not going to drone on about the evils of being inseparable from our smartphones. (I like being able to Google “theme song Family Ties guitar” without leaving my couch as much as the next person.) So I’ll say this instead: There will be times in life when you’re forced to speak with someone you don’t know. And when that moment comes, you’ll be grateful if you can communicate like an axolotl.

Depending on where you fall on the introvert-extrovert spectrum, strangers might be friends you haven’t met yet. Or, if you’re more introverted, small talk might give you hives and make you want to hide under the covers. Either way, it helps to have a list of questions at your disposal. Sure, you can always default to asking how people know the bride(s) or groom(s) at a wedding, or you can marvel at how sunny/rainy/windy/cold it is. Wow, weather! The truth is that cultivating good conversation takes work beyond the humdrum basics. And the secret is to ask open-ended questions (that is, questions that can’t be answered with a “yes” or “no”). Questions like these encourage conversation, a back-and-forth, a verbal give-and-take. Here are some possibilities to keep in your pocket:

What was the first concert you went to?

What hobby did you take up during the pandemic? Did it stick?

Which actor would you want to play you in a movie of your life?

As a child, what was your dream job?

What has been your biggest fashion fail? Note: This one works particularly well if you can first compliment something the person is wearing.

What’s your secret talent? What are you better at than anyone else?

What’s your favorite photo on your phone?

What’s the best food you’ve ever eaten?

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