If you’re a fellow movie geek, chances are you’ve encountered this very same situation. You’re out and about, shopping, hanging out or whatever, and you happen to run into someone and strike up a casual conversation. (This can also be applied to friends and family, but keep in mind you have a much more likely chance of seeing them again.) By some chance, the topic of movies enters into the conversation. Being a movie geek, you most likely understand that you’re knowledge of movies is probably above average. So, the topic of movies most likely was initiated by the other person and there’s a good chance it happened like this:

“Oh, you like movies. What’s your favorite movie?”

 [Enter the dilemma.] Now, I am only speaking for myself and my own experience, but I am fairly sure other movie geeks have encountered this horrible question before. No offense to anyone who has asked me this, but I truly hate this question. Why? Well, it’s impossibly far too generic and way too difficult to answer in less than, say … 2-3 hours. It’s not that I am not willing to discuss movies with any living soul that may walk up to me, but I believe there is a sort of etiquette that needs to be applied. Keep in mind, watching (and often reading about) movies is a hobby (and sometimes more) for a movie geek. Personally, I have seen well over 3,000 movies. Many of which I have loved, even more I’ve liked and a lot that I have had mixed to less than favorable opinions about. However, to ask a movie geek what his/her single most favorite movie of all time is … well, that’s just down right cruel. Granted, there are some of us who are fortunate to have nailed this down and can answer the question with a simple, predetermined response. In my opinion, this I cannot do. First of all, I’m just simply not sure which one is my absolute, all-time favorite. Then, I must consider that I haven’t seen every movie.

Some tips for engaging a conversation on movies with the average movie geek to ensure a pleasant discussion:

• Don’t ask, “What is your favorite movie?”
• Instead, ask more specific, defining questions. For example ”Which directors do you like?”
• Be prepared to have a lengthy conversation. If you’re in a hurry, save it for another time.
• Be open to the fact that movie geeks are usually opinionated and will tell you bluntly what they thought of said movie.
• Please don’t engage movie-related small talk with a movie geek. Only engage if truly interested.
• Be honest. Don’t pretend you know more than you do. Remember, we’re movie geeks and we’ll probably detect any bulls***.
• Finally, have fun with it and use it as a chance to hear another point-of-view, or discover new movies, directors, etc.