Have you ever wanted to talk to someone, but found yourself at a loss for words? Maybe you just wanted to fill the silence, or maybe you wanted to get to know that person, but weren’t sure of what to say.
Talking to new people can feel extremely intimidating, and often we’ll let the fear of sounding awkward keep us from speaking up. But have no fear—with the right conversation starters, you can build organic connections without discomfort.
25 Conversation Starters
These 25 conversation starters will help you chat up almost anyone, from complete strangers to acquaintances you’d like to know better.
Conversation Starters for Meeting New People
These lines are great for breaking the ice with someone you’ve just met.
Tell me about you. This is a great alternative to “How are you?” because it invites the other person to share anything they want about themself. Of course, you might not want to walk up to a random person and say “Tell me about you,” but if you’ve already engaged somehow or told them about yourself, this is a good way to keep the momentum going.
Comment on the weather. Cliché? Maybe. But it works. The weather is a subject anyone can comment on, whether you’re admiring a beautiful day or lamenting an ugly one. It’s effective because it opens the door to other topics, like what the other person plans to do today/this weekend because of the weather, what the weather was like where they used to live, etc.
How’s that drink/food/book/game? Start a conversation based on whatever the person is holding. Ask them about their cocktail, plate of appetizers, or the game they’ve got open on their phone.
How do you know the host? If you’re at a party, convention, work event, or whatever, you can ask the other person how they know the host or how they became involved with the host organization.
What do you think of the event? This one works whether you’re attending a conference, party, or some other sort of organized meetup. It leaves the other person free to offer their opinion, compare it to a past experience, or take the conversation in any direction they choose.
Are you having fun? This is a nice, generic opener to use with someone you don’t know. It can lead them to talk about how they know the host, what they like about the event, or other interests (for example, maybe they’re enthusiastic about the food because they enjoy cooking, too).
I like your [object of your compliment]. Genuine compliments make people feel good, which makes them more open to conversation. Also, your compliment might prompt them to start talking about where they got the object, how they discovered that brand, or even offer you a compliment in return.
Have you seen any good movies lately? Kill two birds with one stone: start a conversation, and get some good recommendations for your next movie marathon.
Did you watch [show] last night? For those of us who still watch live or regularly programmed TV, this is especially effective if a new episode or finale of a popular show just aired last night.
What are your favorite restaurants around here? If you’re not from the area, this is a great way to get to know someone local, and also discover new restaurants. Plus, if the conversation goes well, you might ask them to join you for lunch or dinner there.
What are your plans for the weekend/holiday? This is an easy and reliable one, as most people have an answer for what they’re doing over the weekend, even if it’s just binge watching TV. You’ll probably get something to work with in their answer.
Has this been a busy time for you? I usually use this one when I’m somewhere like a hair salon, dentist’s office, etc. If it’s busy, they’ll start talking about how busy the week has been. If not, they’ll usually talk about why things are slow, when they expect things to pick up, etc. This can easily turn into a conversation.
Have you been here before? If you’re in a restaurant, event center, or any sort of special location (obviously not work), you can ask this question, which will probably lead the person to elaborate.
I’m going to grab a coffee. Anyone else want one? This will definitely lead to conversation if someone decides to join you on your coffee run, but even if you bring it back to them, they will likely make small talk, thank you for the favor, or start talking about coffee preferences.
I’m kind of nervous about the [meeting/presentation/etc.]. Have you ever done it before? Showing vulnerability makes others more receptive and likely to let their guard down. Plus, if you’re both waiting for something potentially nerve-wracking, like an interview, you’ll have something to bond over.
Topics for Deeper Conversation
These lines are ideal for people you’re already acquainted with, but whom you want to know better or just keep a conversation going.
What have you been working on lately? This is a great line for a colleague whom you don’t know very well. Ask them about the projects they’re working on, and what they enjoy or don’t enjoy about their tasks.
What’s the best thing about working here? This question is useful if you’re new to your job, or if you just want to learn more about a colleague and what they like about the company.
What’s your favorite movie/book? Everyone has a favorite book or film, and this simple question can reveal a lot about a person and lead to more questions/commentary. You might even discover common interests.
Which character from literature or film do you most identify with? Take the question about favorite books or films to a deeper level by asking which character the other person identifies with most.
What was your dream job when you were growing up? Everyone has an answer to this question. For some, the answer is what they’re doing right now, in which case you can talk about how they achieved their dream. If it’s different from their current job, you can ask how they ended up in their current line of work.
Do you have any role models? The answer to this question can also be revealing, and you can talk about who inspires you too.
If you could travel anywhere, where would you go right now? Everyone has somewhere they’d rather be (unless you happen to be on a tropical island).
Where would you most like to live? Again, assuming you don’t live in St. Lucia, there’s probably an interesting answer here. (Or, if they really love where they live now, they’ll explain why.)
What’s your favorite meal? Something else everyone has! If food doesn’t get this person interested, then I don’t know what to tell you.
What’s the most embarrassing thing you did at school? This could lead to some hilarious revelations (although you might really hear their 2nd or 3rd most embarrassing story—some things are just better left in middle school hallways).
Break the Ice
If you want to start a conversation with someone, don’t let a loss for words keep you from building a connection.
Try one of these helpful conversation starters to get to meet new people, or get to know your existing connections even better.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- How to Start a Conversation with Anyone: 7 Tips for Breaking the Ice
- How to Be a Better Listener: 6 Tips for Staying Present in Conversations
- How to Make Friends: 11 Tips for Building Close Connections as an Adult
- How to Be Brave: 6 Tips for Embracing Fear and Living the Life of Your Dreams
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
