Topic Tango#

Topic Tango is a fun 1-on-1 social game you can play on Wusoup to help break the ice and get to know someone better 🕺

It helps you and your Tango (chat) partner choose topics for discussion or (friendly!) debate.

It's low-stress: most topics are very light, and a live Tango never lands you on a topic you didn't pick 🫶

Step 1 - invite someone#

Hit the Tango button on someone's profile, choose a pace, and send your invite:

They must be online and they'll only be notified if they're currently looking at your profile, so this is best to do when you're already chatting. (The exception is ✉️ Anytime pace, see below - those can be sent any time!)

Your partner will see a subtle notification on their side:

If they accept (hit their button too), the Tango starts!

Step 2 - agree on a topic#

You'll both get 40 seconds (at the default ⏱️ Classic pace) to choose a topic you like from a list:

• If you both agree on the topic you'll move on to Step 3
• Otherwise you'll get new topic options
• There's zero pressure to choose a topic you don't like! Feel free to choose "None of these" ✌️

Step 3 - respond#

You now both get a minute (at ⏱️ Classic pace) to write an initial response to the chosen topic:

Hit Ready to discuss whenever you're done 🎸

Step 4 - discuss!#

Once you're both ready, your responses will be shared in your Wusoup chat - and you're free to discuss or debate as long as you like!

The topics and initial "responses" are only there to help get things started 😊

If/when you're in the mood for another topic, just hit the Tango button again:

Pace#

Prefer more (or less!) time? Hitting the Tango button opens a picker where you choose your invite's pace:

• ⚡ Blitz: 20s to choose, 30s to answer - for quick-fire fun
• ⏱️ Classic: 40s to choose, 60s to answer - the default
• 🐢 Relaxed: 90s to choose, 2½ min to answer
• 🧘 No timers: take your time - you're both still playing live
• ✉️ Anytime: no timers AND your partner doesn't need to be online!

Your invite shows its pace, so your partner always knows what they're agreeing to.

✉️ Anytime Tango#

An Anytime Tango works like a sealed envelope: you pick a topic and write your response right away, and your partner gets the topic only in your chat. Your response stays sealed until they write theirs - then both reveal together!

• Your partner can answer whenever they like. Envelopes expire after ~2 weeks without sharing the sealed response - you'll both get a reminder in chat a few days before
• Either of you can cancel or decline a pending envelope at any time
• You and a partner can only have one Tango at a time between you
• The sender picks the topic; the recipient can decline

Tips#

• It's good etiquette to ask first if you want to Tango with someone! This also helps make sure that they're looking at your profile and can see the Tango notification.

• In a live Tango, both partners must agree to a topic! Part of the fun is trying to anticipate what your partner might choose. (✉️ Anytime is different: the sender picks, the recipient can decline.)

• Avoid spicy topics unless you've already built up trust with someone. Go slowly, it's not a race!

• Topics you choose often will come up more often, though not right away.

• Topics the community chooses often will also come up more often.

• Timed Tangos require your attention, they're not meant for multi-tasking. If you leave a timed Tango, the Tango will end. (✉️ Anytime Tangos survive navigation, that's their whole point!)

Motivation#

A common problem on Wusoup is that people really want to connect with others, but they just don't know how. Or they struggle to get a chat beyond the superficial stage.

Keeping up an interesting chat (especially one that gets below the surface) takes skill, patience, a proficient partner, and often luck.

My hope is for Topic Tango to provide a fun + low-stress way to help make this easier for more people.

A live Tango is a double consent game: both partners opt in to play, and both opt in to the topic. ✉️ Anytime is a sealed letter: you pick the topic and write first; they can answer or decline. Either way, nothing is shared until both of you have written.

All topics are carefully written to help folks connect while having fun. There's 3 categories / difficulty levels:

• Easy: these are generally optimistic, funny, silly, etc. They make great openers, or any time you feel like a pick-me-up.
• Spicy: these are thought-provoking, sometimes a little challenging. They can help prompt deeper discussions.
• Extra spicy: these are advanced topics to help really get beneath the surface for folks that enjoy a more rigorous debate.

As always, feedback very welcome! 🙏 - Peter