<p>" The surest way to get people out of your business is to get them to talk about their own."</p>
<p>Very true. You don’t have to be passive at family gatherings. Ask your relatives – including older ones – about their own plans including plans related to their careers. Given the layoffs and other problems due to the economy, many mature adults are having to rethink their careers, too.</p>
<p>You also can ask them about their lives in general.</p>
<p>I’ve noticed that high school and college age people tend to converse with adults by simply replying to questions about their own lives instead of showing any interest in other peoples’ lives. It’s polite and a good idea in general to show polite interest in other people’s lives. Much of what younger people find to be irritating questioning by older acquaintances and relatives is simply the older folks trying to keep a conversation going.</p>
<p>Polite questions for older folks can include: plans for retirement; how the economy is affecting their career; things they’re enjoying about being a parent/grandparent; interesting things they’ve done in their church, civic groups, volunteer organizations, hobbies, travels, etc.</p>