Arguing With Strangers

2. Prepare to host

Ask a café, pub, comedy club or community room for an area where participants can hear one another. For a microphone round, confirm the venue allows amplified speech and that the audience can see the speakers. Confirm accessibility, staffing, safety and any venue rules.

Materials: Original debate prompt cards, a visible timer, host cue cards, name tags if wanted, and an optional microphone. Avoid copying any organizer’s trademarked artwork or promotional materials. Credit the original series when describing the inspiration; do not imply your independent gathering is an official event.

3. Create your Eventbrite listing

1. Open a new event

   Create an event on Eventbrite. Enter the actual venue, date, start and end times, and attendance limit.

2. Event title Copy

   Arguing With Strangers | A Social Debate Night

   Short summary Copy

   Meet new people through funny, low-stakes debates. Defend an opinion, hear another perspective and see what happens when strangers disagree with good humor.

   Event description Copy

   Arguing With Strangers is a social night where strangers pair up to debate silly questions, switch partners and discover how enjoyable disagreement can be. We’ll begin with lighthearted prompts, such as whether a hot dog is a sandwich. Volunteers may share short arguments with the room, followed by optional small-group conversations and time to mingle. You do not need debate experience, and you will never be required to take the stage. Date and time: [date, time and time zone] Location: [venue and accessible entrance] Tickets: [price or free admission, and what is included] Participation: Respectful disagreement only. No personal attacks; passing on a topic is always welcome. This is an independently hosted gathering inspired by the Arguing With Strangers concept; it is not presented as an official event of the original organizers.

3. Date, time and location

   • Confirm venue accessibility, start time, check-in location, capacity and any age requirements.
   • State clearly whether this event is a fully independent gathering or produced with the original organizers.

4. Tickets and registration

   Ticket name Copy

   General admission
   • Set capacity to match available seating, facilitator support and fire occupancy limits.
   • Review admission fees, cancellation rules, ticket confirmation and necessary attendee information.

5. Final check

   • Replace all bracketed placeholders, review the listing on mobile, and test registration before sharing.
   • Use only images and descriptions you have permission to publish.

4. Invite people

5. Host the gathering

1. Welcome everyone and explain the difference between playful disagreement and personal attack. Let guests know they may pass on any prompt.
2. Pair people with someone new and offer a silly proposition. Assign sides for fun, while making clear that defending a position does not represent personal belief.
3. Give each speaker a brief uninterrupted turn, then invite curiosity questions or an optional rebuttal. Rotate partners.
4. Invite volunteers, never conscripts, to a few stage or audience debates. Keep them short, avoid humiliating judgments, and use applause or friendly votes only if the group wants them.
5. Move to small-group conversations about everyday values or preferences. Ask participants to restate what they heard before responding, particularly when discussions become more serious.
6. Finish with unstructured social time so people can continue conversations and exchange contact information by mutual choice.

Example topics: Is a hot dog a sandwich? Should friends always be completely honest? Is spontaneity better than planning? Is it important to know your neighbors? Can people be close friends and disagree about important issues?

If a debate becomes personal, the facilitator should interrupt and redirect to a lighter prompt or offer a break. Thank the group afterward, restore the venue and do not add anyone to mailing lists without consent.