ALT Plain text image description available at: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/iqpodcast/let-s-resolve-to-have-fewer-awkward-conversations-in-2022-a-flowchart-1.6292455

ALT White text surrounded by coloured speech bubbles on a dark blue background. 5 Small Talk Questions to Reconsider at Your Next Holiday Gathering With the holidays approaching, so are get-togethers. It might have been a while since you've last seen some friends and family, and catching up can sometimes lead to questions that maybe shoudln't be asked.

ALT White text surrounded by coloured speech bubbles on a dark blue background. Instead of... "Why aren't you drinking?" People don't drink for lots of reasons — health, addiction, religion, pregnancy—and they might not want to share them publicly. Maybe say... "Can I get you a refill?"

ALT White text surrounded by coloured speech bubbles on a dark blue background. Instead of... "Have you lost weight?" Though often asked as a compliment, there are many different reasons for weight loss, not all of them intentional. For people experiencing disordered eating, certain health conditions or struggling with body image, this can be a loaded question. Maybe say... "I love your sweater!"

ALT White text surrounded by coloured speech bubbles on a dark blue background. Instead of... "Why are you single?" This question can imply that everyone should be in a relationship. People may be single for a variety of reasons, whether by choice or by circumstance, and may be uncomfortable discussing it. Maybe say... "Are you seeing anyone?"

ALT Elena Hudgins Lyle and Harvinder Wadhwa are smiling and sitting together on an outdoor couch. They are being filmed and can be seen on the viewfinder of the camera as well.

ALT [Rebecca Burgess, Inappropriate Questions P1: Rebecca, an autistic person with curly brown hair, is being confronted by a surprised woman. Text: Sometimes when people explain to others that they’re autistic, they get the question Woman: Are you sure? P2: A white man with short brown hair stands under a banner that says “The Autistic Stereotype.” He is surrounded by labels: I have no feelings, I’m a savant in math, I’m very boring, I have no imagination, I am robot, I don’t like people. Text: There are lots of reasons that an autistic person might not “look autistic” to many people. First of all, most autistic people don’t fit the stereotype that surrounds autism.

ALT P5: On the left, a Black woman holds a mask with a happy expression over her face with the text “Making eye contact”, “Good at conversation.” On the right, the woman removes the mask to show she is tired and weary. There is an empty battery. Text: Some autistics “mask” too, in order to fit in or keep up with non-autistic people. They might not “look” autistic, but on the inside they are putting in lots of energy and concentration to appear that way. P6: A blonde woman is wearing headphones and looks animated. Arrows point to her with descriptive text “I’m good at talking but have sensory issues.” A white man stands with a soccer ball. Arrows point to him with descriptive text “I’m non-verbal but have great motor skills. I’m amazing at football!” Text: It’s important to remember that autism is a spectrum of traits and differences. That doesn’t mean that some people vary from “a little autistic” to “severely autistic” but just that everyone has different traits, often at different times.