Intermediate Keeping Secrets

Part 1: Trust and Private Information

Talk about privacy, trust, and what it means when someone shares private information with you.

1. What kinds of information do people usually keep private?
2. Have you ever been trusted with an important secret? How did that feel?
3. Why do people sometimes want to tell someone a secret?
4. Is it easier to keep a friend's secret or a coworker's secret? Why?
5. What makes someone trustworthy enough to share private information with?
6. Someone tells you a secret that makes you uncomfortable. What would you do?
7. Have you ever had to keep a surprise secret, such as a gift or party? How easy was it?
8. Why can sharing someone else's secret damage a friendship?
9. What should someone do if they accidentally share private information?
10. Should close friends tell each other everything? Why or why not?

Part 2: When Secrets Become Complicated

Discuss harmless secrets, difficult promises, privacy, honesty, and what to do when keeping a secret causes problems.

1. What are some harmless secrets people often keep?
2. How is a surprise secret different from hiding important information?
3. Why might someone ask another person to keep something secret?
4. Should a promise to keep a secret always be respected? Why or why not?
5. What would you do if keeping a secret could create a serious problem for someone?
6. What should someone do if a difficult secret is causing stress?
7. Which matters more in a close relationship: privacy or complete honesty? Why?
8. Why can a secret become harder to keep over time?
9. Is hiding information always dishonest? When can it be reasonable?
10. A close friend shares one of your secrets. What would they need to do to rebuild trust?

Continue the conversation

Try more discussion questions, or practice with Brando in a group or one-on-one.