Holiday Advice From The Staff And Customers At Our Restaurant in Springfield Missouri
With the holiday season in full swing, we’ve asked some of the staff and customers at our restaurant in Springfield Missouri to offer up a few clever ideas for holiday conversation ice-breakers and share with us a few holiday memories that are special to them. If you have ever dined at either Bambinos or B2 Cafe, we hope that you’ve picked up on our family and community vibe right away.
Some employees and customers suggest breaking the ice of awkward conversations at holiday parties with open-ended questions like:
Do you have a Christmas or holiday movie you love the most?
What foods tickle your fancy each Christmas?
Do you have a Christmas ornament you just can’t wait to see each season?
What are your special Christmas traditions?
Brad is one of the cooks at our Battlefield location and he says, “My favorite Christmas movie is Elf and I can’t wait to eat the sweet potato casserole! Another holiday highlight for me is bringing out my son’s homemade ornaments.”
Bruce and Judy from Illinois were first time diners at Bambino’s who told us, “We think our favorite holiday food now is the chicken noodle pasta soup here at Bambino’s and The Momma! The heck with the turkey. We will be back soon!”
Meredith is one of our fabulous servers at Bambino’s and she commented, “Ask someone about their favorite holiday tradition. One of my family traditions is whoever passes out first from a food coma has to wear the dorky Santa hat with antlers the rest of the day! I’m ecstatic when I get the old family lace angel and put it on top of the tree. And all of that gravy, yes!”
Samantha works at B2 Cafe and every other Christmas, she and her family give back instead of giving each other gifts. Asking people about their ornaments is always a winner. Samantha’s most beloved ornament? “I made footprints of my dogs and turned them into Christmas ornaments!”
Not everyone enjoys being grilled, so make sure you weigh listening with speaking. Remember that you’re not interviewing them. This and a few holiday glasses of wine should bring on a good flow of conversation even with the most introverted.
Other Questions To Help Fire Up A Conversation Endorsed By Bambino’s Staff And Customers
How do you shop for gifts for the holidays?
How do you stay healthy during the holidays?
What is the best gift you’ve ever received and why?
What’s the most exciting thing that happened to you this year?
Are you an avid reader? If so what type of books do you like?
Do you love the hustle and bustle vibe around the holidays or think there’s too much commercialism?
Do you go all out on the holiday decorating, and if so, what do you do?
What do you want for Christmas this year?
What is your favorite thing to do with your family and/or friends during the holidays?
We have to be sensitive to the fact that some people have sad memories around the holidays and others have no family. So it’s good not to be too invasive if you’re not getting a warm response. But if you are getting the feel that they really enjoy the holidays, maybe ask: What is your favorite holiday memory?
Holiday season is the time of the year when we all can reflect back and think of the special experiences and things we are grateful for. It’s also a time for incredible food, parties, festive activities, holiday baking and cooking and meeting new people. Don’t assume those family gatherings will be dreadful. Aunt Alma may start to grow on you after a few glasses of wine and talk your ear off in a good way. That judgmental cousin might end up telling you how cool your tattoos are.
No matter how you celebrate the holidays, all of us here at Bambinos Cafe and B2 Cafe thank you for your patronage and we wish you a very happy holiday season and a fabulous new year.
