Ask their opinion

Techniques > Conversation techniques > Sustaining the conversation > Ask their opinion

Description | Example | Discussion | See also

Description

Ask for their thoughts about some topic or another.

Ask them what should be done about some situation in work, home, locally or nationally. Ask what you think will happen next.

Ask what particular people should do. Ask 'if you were they, what would you do'. Ask 'What should I do'.

Ask for a recommendation about houses, cars, restaurants, gadgets, books, plumbers, etc.

Ask about people and what they know or think about them.

If you want to be daring, ask them about something controversial or that has some social taboo about it, such as teenage sex or inter-racial conflict.

And once you have asked them, listen carefully to their advice, taking it seriously. You don't have to follow what they suggest, of course, but it's a good idea that you show you have listened and considered their suggestion.

Example

If you were the President, what would you do about education?

We're going out tonight -- what restaurant would you recommend?

How has Miguel been performing? Do you think he is ready for promotion?

Discussion

Asking their opinion casts them as an expert, which is rather flattering. It says 'you know something that I don't' and so pushes them up the social ladder a bit, offering them status.