1. Surface Information

The topics that are in the table above are ones that would be described as surface information. These are topics that are easy to discuss with almost anyone.

These are the kinds of things that you can discuss without going into too much detail and can allow you to practice your social skills and have pleasant interactions with others.

It can be the beginning of new friendships and relationships with others or can help to serve you in achieving your goals (specifically around advice-seeking).

While these are safer topics to discuss when having a conversation, it’s still important to listen to what the other person may want to talk about.

These topics are a great starting point when getting out in the community and wanting to start up a conversation.

2. Deeper Information

The topics in this table are described as deeper information.

These are topics that you can discuss with certain people BUT it’s important to be mindful about how much detail you provide.

While it might be okay to talk about medical information with some of your supports (like your support worker), it might be better that you don’t go into as much detail as you might when talking to your doctor or family.

It’s important to remember that it’s not okay to discuss other peoples’ money with anyone, other than the person that has disclosed their financial information to you, and only if they are comfortable with having conversations around their money.

It’s important to know who in your friendship circle you feel safe to discuss personal matters with, and some friends may know more or less than others and that’s okay.

Boundaries around conversations are important to have and to ensure you both have boundaries and respect those boundaries of others.

If someone doesn’t want to disclose certain information to you that is their right and it doesn’t mean they don’t like you, just that they aren’t as comfortable talking about it.

3. Risky Information

Risky information is topics that are really quite deep and personal and are typically only things you’d want to discuss with the people closest to you.

These are topics you would only want to discuss with the people you feel the safest with.

These are the kinds of discussions where you are at your most vulnerable, and as such only, the most trusted people should have this information about you.

Unfortunately, there are some people who could use the information you share to take advantage of you, such as taking money from you, and that is why these things are classified as risky and should only be shared with a few trusted people.