What conversation topic makes people instantly more interesting?

[Shane_8]

Some questions unlock people better than the usual small talk. Ask someone what they do for work and you might get a polite answer. Ask them what they were obsessed with as a child and suddenly there is life in the room.

Everyone has a subject that lights them up a little. The trick is finding it.

What topic usually makes people more interesting to talk to?

[PlanetOftheApes]

Ask people about a hobby they had as a kid. You learn a lot very quickly

[Q]

Travel stories can be good, but only if they are not told like a lecture

[Cheeky Blake]

Food is a reliable one. People open up when talking about favourite meals

[AlexandrZakharyan]

Pets. Even quiet people often become animated when talking about animals

[QuantumKnight]

I like asking what someone would do if money was not an issue. The answers are revealing