newshound wrote:
On 21/03/2020 18:11, Adrian Caspersz wrote:
Dunno about this one...

Can someone give me a list of hopefully enjoyable generic topics, I can
use to spring someone elderly into conversation, without mentioning the
current elephant in the room?

Said person is otherwise drifting to regurgitating topics relayed on
LBC, and its affecting my mental state.

It's not good

Speaking as someone elderly or beyond, try asking about the "good old days".

I recall as a kid that my grandparents generation had recall of their
formative years, and I am heading the same way. One of my grandfathers
worked for Hiram Maxim, I only got this out of a great aunt, I wish I
had more relevant details. I think this was when Maxim was developing
man-carrying kites that were subsequently used for artillary spotting
over the WW1 trenches.

My dad was just too young to head for the Spanish Civil war. He left
school at 16 to work for the Labour party (George Brown was doing the
same thing in the next ward). I always regretted not taking him to
Laurie Lee's pub.



Maxims son was a radio amateur and, I believe, founded the ARRL, the
America national society for radio amateurs.