Good convo topics
166 Conversation Starters For Virtually Any Situation
A good conversation starter can transform an awkward, stilted conversation into an interesting, enjoyable discussion.
That's important in sales, as having several conversation starters up your sleeve will help you form connections with prospects, referrals, and potential partners. In other words, your ability to start a conversation translates to real business.
Take a look at our list of 166 conversation starters and find your favorite one-liner to kick start your next conversation.
Table of Contents
Conversation Topics
Conversation Starters to Use at a Conference
Conversation Starters to Use at an Industry Event
Conversation Starters to Use at a Networking Happy Hour
Conversation Starters to Use at a Social Event
Questions to Start a Conversation
General Conversation Starters
- What's the most interesting thing you've read lately?
- What's a fact about you that's not on the internet?
- Do you listen to any podcasts? Which ones?
- If you were in charge of the playlist, which song would you play next?
- What's the best gift you've ever gotten?
- What's your favorite part about living in [city]? Least favorite?
- Are there any common misconceptions about your job?
- Why did you come tonight?
- If you had to sum up this event in three words, which would they be?
- Are there any upcoming events you're planning on going to?
- What conference — real or imaginary — would you absolutely hate to miss?
- If you were giving a presentation, what would the topic be?
- Great [shoes/haircut/shirt]! Where'd you get it?
- I'm trying to plan my next trip — have you traveled anywhere interesting lately?
What makes a good conversation starter? While there isn't an exact formula, you can tailor your questions for different situations. For instance, the conversation starters you use with your friends will differ from, say, your boss.
Here are the common types of questions:
- Open-ended: A broad, open-ended question typically generates a far more engaging answer than a closed, yes-or-no one.
- Non-routine: Breaking out of the standard weather and job-related questions will jolt the person you're talking to out of autopilot. You'll also make yourself more memorable.
- Professional: Some topics are more suited for your friends and family than strangers or near-strangers. Your questions should never make your conversational partner uncomfortable.
- Relevant: If you can, start a conversation about something timely or specific, such as your location, event, industry, jobs, or current interests. The other person will find it easier to contribute.
Conversation Topics
So, you want to start a conversation. But what should you talk about? Here are some topics to kick off a conversation.
Events
If you're attending a conference or event, you can ask questions about the event itself, its location, your industry, the other person's objectives, what they've learned, and more.
Industries
At an industry event, talk about the latest news or technology in your industry. Ask how your industry is evolving, and what changes people are most excited about.
Technology
Is a person using a phone, tablet, or electronic device you're interested in? Ask them about it.
Content
Ask if they recommend any books, blogs, podcasts, or videos. You might find a mutual interest that you can talk about.
Fun Facts
Start conversations about where they work, their favorite food and restaurants in the area, or chat about something they learned recently. Fun facts are ideal for networking events or happy hours.
To start great conversations, borrow from this list of 166 conversation starters.
Conversation Starters to Use at a Conference
Conferences are chock-full of opportunities to ask thought-provoking, relevant, and engaging questions. You can discuss the specific event, its location, your industry, the other person's objectives, what they've learned, and more.
Keith Grehan, an account manager in HubSpot's Dublin office says:
"I approach conference introductions the same way I approach outbound calls, by having a reason to call/initiate the conversation. Ideally, I'd know something about the prospect, their company and the challenge/hot topics in their industry and use that as a jumping off point. If, however, I was at an event and didn't have a chance to complete prior research, I introduce myself and ask, ‘What are you hoping to get from the day?' It's a great place to start."
- Which [speaker/panel] are you most excited for?
- Which [speaker/panel] did you most enjoy? Which did you find the most useful?
- If you could meet one speaker from this event, who would it be?
- If you could have your entire company watch a single session from this event, which would it be?
- If you were giving a presentation, what would the topic be?
- How does this conference compare to others you've attended?
- If you were running this conference, what would you do differently?
- What did you think of the talk [length, structure, style]?
- Have you gone to this conference before? What's changed?
- What's the most surprising thing you've learned? (If the conference isn't over, add "so far?")
- Why did you decide to attend?
- Are you planning on coming back next year?
- Are you here with other people? Do you prefer going to conferences solo or with a group?
- Are you doing any non-conference activities while you're here? (Alternatively: "Did you fit in any non-conference activities?")
- Is this your first time in [city]? What do you think of it?
- Are you from the area? (If yes: "Do you have any [food, museum, shopping, music] recommendations?" If no: "Where are you from?")
- Do you think the conference could benefit from being a day [shorter, longer]? Why?
- I wonder how many people would have attended this conference eight years ago — what do you think?
- I wonder how many people will attend this conference in eight years — what do you think?
- Do you go to a lot of conferences?
- What's the first conference you ever attended?
- Would your company ever host a conference? (Or if they're from a large organization: "Does your company host conferences?")
- What conference — real or imaginary — would you absolutely hate to miss?
- Do you think [industry] needs more conferences? Less?
- What's the primary reason you chose to attend [conference name]?
- Do you have any plans to explore [city]?
- What's your biggest takeaway from [speaker/panel]?
- Will you come back to this event next year?
- Have you met/seen any of the speakers before?
Conversation Starters to Use at an Industry Event
Attending a highly specific event like a forum comes with some advantages. For one, you usually have a pretty good sense of which roles and interests the other attendees hold. When you're blanking on topics, use this information.
- Have you been to any events hosted by [organizer] before?
- Why'd you decide to come to this forum?
- Is [theme of event] a major professional focus of yours?
- Why do you think they chose this specific theme?
- By any chance, have you read anything good about [theme of event]?
- Do you attend any other forums?
- Are there any upcoming events you're planning on going to?
- Had you heard of [speaker] before this?
- Why do you think they chose [speaker]?
- Have you ever organized an event like this? What surprised you about running the scenes?
- If you could only remember one fact or insight from this [morning, afternoon, evening], what would it be?
- What were your thoughts on [specific point speaker made]?
- Do you have any predictions for how the discussion will go? (Or if the event is wrapping up: "Did the discussion meet your expectations?")
- You look so familiar! Did you go to [previous event]?
- What are your favorite and least favorite things about working in [industry]?
- How long have you been in [industry]? Have there been any significant changes since you entered this space?
- If you could spend an entire day talking to any expert in our industry, who would it be?
- If you were in charge of this forum, and you had an unlimited budget, what would you do differently?
- Did you disagree with any of the points made?
- Did this event change how you think about [industry] and/or your role in [industry]?
- Do you frequently go to these types of events?
- How'd you learn about this forum?
- I'm in the market for a new [phone, computer, notebook, etc. ], and I noticed you're using an [iPhone 12, Moleskine notebook, etc.] — would you recommend it?
- If you had to sum up this event in three words, which would they be?
- What new projects do you have lined up?
- Which skills in [industry] do you think will be most in demand in the next five years?
- Do you listen to any [industry]-specific podcasts?
- Where do you like to get your [industry]-related news?
Conversation Starters to Use at a Networking Happy Hour
Socializing with strangers who already express an interest in connecting is always a little easier — or at least, more relaxed — at the end of the day. And, in the case that the majority of attendees are local, you've got a ton of built-in questions about the city, how long they've lived here, what they like to do in the area, and so on at your disposal.
As a general rule, your questions should be a little lighter than the ones you'd use at a conference or speaker event. Happy hours are for mixing work and play, so match your tone accordingly.
Grehan has advice for those preparing for networking happy hours as well. He says:
"At a happy hour, it's important to be more informal. People have had a long day of research and attending seminars, so having someone open with a different topic than the event or what they do for a living can be a breath of fresh air. If anything funny happened or if something didn't go well during the event, a joke about it is a good opener -- nothing brings people together like complaining after a long day!"
- What's keeping you busy lately?
- Did you come here from work?
- What's your favorite part about living in [city]? Least favorite?
- What do you think of this venue?
- If you could only attend one type of networking function for the rest of your life, would you choose breakfasts or happy hours?
- Have you tried any of the food? What's good?
- What did you get done today?
- Why did you come tonight?
- How long have you lived in [city]?
- Why did you move to [city]?
- Do you think [city] is a place most people move to, or from?
- Where did you move to [city] from? What do you miss about your last town — and what were you happy to leave behind?
- If you could recommend only one [restaurant, coffee shop, bar] in [city], which one would you choose?
- As [day of the week]s go, how was yours? (For example, "Did you have a good Monday, as Mondays go?")
- At this time on a typical [day of the week], what would you be doing?
- I have a semi-important decision to make, and I'd love your input: Should I have [appetizer #1] or [appetizer #2]?
- I just learned "happy hours" were invented in the 1920s on naval ships. To make sea life a little less boring, sailors got daily breaks for wrestling and boxing matches. Do you prefer the modern or original version?
- If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what would you choose?
- What's the last new skill you learned?
- Are there any skills you thought would be crucial to your job that turned out to be unimportant?
- Are there any common misconceptions about your job?
- I read an article claiming nowadays everyone has a side project (or four). Do you agree? Are you working on anything on the side?
- Wow, I see a lot of phones out — the email addiction is real! Do you think your company could survive if your CEO banned internal email?
- Do you think you're the only [title] in the room?
- If someone was making a movie about your current job, what genre would it be? What would they call it?
- I love your [tie/bracelet/shoe/attire]! Where did you get it from?
- What would you be doing at this time on a normal day?
- It's nice to meet you. How has your day been?
- Wow, that drink looks good. What is it?
- What a great place for an event, right? Have you ever been here before?
Conversation Starters to Use at a Social Event
You might not think of your friend's BBQ or neighbor's block party as prime networking events — but as the most successful reps know, great sales opportunities can appear in unlikely places.
However, steer away from job, career, or industry-related questions. Since you're at a social event, less serious subjects are far more appropriate (and fun). Building rapport is your primary mission — after the party, you can figure out which new connections might benefit from your product.
- If you were in charge of the playlist, which song would you play next?
- You look like you could be in [random occupation]. Am I anywhere close?
- If there was $200 at stake, would you be willing to prepare the food using only lunch meat, the contents of the freezer, and basic kitchen staples?
- Have you tried any of the [appetizers, drinks, sides, etc. ]? Any recommendations?
- Do you have a signature drink? (Gesture to their glass.)
- Is your [day/night] going like you expected?
- Do you prefer hosting events or attending them?
- Games at parties: Yay, or nay? Why?
- Are you a cat or dog person? Do you have any pets?
- If you had to switch outfits with one person here, who would it be?
- Do you know most of the people here?
- If you could invite anyone to this party and they were guaranteed to show up, who would you ask?
- I'm trying to plan my next trip — have you traveled anywhere interesting lately?
- What do you think are the top three ingredients for a successful party?
- Would you rather only host fancy dinner parties or theme parties for the rest of your life?
- Great [shoes/haircut/shirt]! Where'd you get it?
- What are you reading?
- Are there any Netflix/Hulu/television series you'd recommend?
- If you were stuck on a desert island with four items of your choice from this room, what would you bring?
- What's the last movie you saw in theaters? Was it worth the trip?
- What do you not do? (Smile while you ask to show you're being humorous. )
- Have you been to any great restaurants lately?
- Where's your favorite vacation spot?
- Got any fun plans for the weekend? I need some inspiration so I don't end up on the couch with some Netflix and Ben & Jerry's.
- Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, or Slytherin?
- Did you fulfill your childhood dream?
- What's the best gift you've ever gotten? My friend's birthday is coming up and I'd love some ideas.
- Are you looking forward to anything in the next few weeks?
- Are you looking forward to anything in the next few weeks?
- How do you know the host?
- Are you keeping up with [sports team/TV show/news] recently?
- Have you tried any new restaurants lately?
- [For couples] How did you two meet?
- Are you having a good time?
Questions to Start a Conversation
Sometimes, a simple introduction is the best way to proceed. But, then what? Open-ended questions are your friend, in these situations. Sales expert, and author of "Networking in the 21st Century," David J.P. Fisher explains his strategy for navigating professional gatherings:
"The most powerful way to start a conversation at industry events is the simplest: introduce yourself! Simply saying, ‘Hi, my name is ______' invites them to respond with their name, and now you have a conversation. It helps to have an open-ended question for follow up after that. Something like, ‘What do you think of the event so far?' or ‘Which has been your favorite session?' works well."
- What's the most interesting thing you've read lately?
- How many days do you think it takes you to scroll a mile on your phone? One day? One week?
- What's a fact about you that's not on the internet?
- If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
- Do you have a go-to conversation starter for these types of events? What is it?
- Which blogs do you read?
- Do you listen to any podcasts? Which ones?
- You remind me of a celebrity, but I'm having trouble remembering their name… Whom are you normally compared to?
- Did you hear about the trend of dinner party hosts banning small talk? Would you ever try that?
- Would you recommend the last documentary you watched? Why or why not?
- What's something in your industry you consider underrated?
- What are your company's unique traditions?
- If you could only [read, watch, listen to] one genre of [books, shows, music] for the rest of your life, which would it be?
- On what topic do people always come to you with questions?
- If you could spend one month at any period in the past — and you were guaranteed not to suffer any harm or change the course of history -- when would it be?
- If you weren't in [X profession], which one would you be in?
- Who was your childhood hero?
- Do you have a secret talent?
- What's the best event freebie you've ever gotten?
- If you could publish a book on any subject, what would it be?
- Let's say you could invite any three people in [industry, role, organization] to dinner. Who would you ask?
- What's the last thing you learned outside of work?
- How do you feel about unlimited vacation policies? Do you think they work as intended?
- What's one company perk you'd love to have?
- Have you taken any professional development courses lately?
- If you could be a fly on the wall for a C-suite meeting at any company, which company would it be?
- Do you prefer working remotely or in-person — and why?
- What's one thing you'd love to be an expert at?
- If there were no dress code, how would you dress for work?
- Tell me about the best boss you ever had — what made them so great?
- What’s the quality that people admire most about you?
- What is one non-work related goal that you would like to achieve in the next five years?
- Suppose you get to redecorate the conference room — what would you do?
The Ultimate Conversation Starter
Last but not least, the ultimate networking question that you can ask anyone, anywhere, anytime:
What do you love about what you do?
This question gives people the chance to dig into their passions — automatically putting them in a good mood and making them more likely to enjoy your conversation. Plus, it's a fresh twist on an old standby. You'll instantly stand out from the hordes of other people making small talk.
57 Killer Conversation Starters So You Can Talk to Anyone
Table of Contents
- Conversation Starters for Any Situation
- Keep the Conversation Going
- Take Your Conversation to a Deeper Level
- Conversation Starters for Work Appropriate Topics
- Conversation Starters for a First Date
- Conversation Starters for Kids
- Funny Conversation Starters
- Calendar Specific Conversation Starters
- Birthday Party Conversation Starters
- Tinder, Bumble and Other Dating Conversation Starters
- BONUS: How to Master Small Talk
How can you have dazzling conversations with everyone you meet? I have a few tips and tricks to using easy conversation starters that lead to amazing and memorable conversations.
A good conversation starter topic can make a normal conversation great. I have broken down this post into different types of conversational situations you might find yourself in. These conversation starters can help spark interesting, deep, and memorable conversations with anyone.
And while you’re at it, take this free goodie on the go to level up your self-improvement skills:
Communicate With Confidence
Do you struggle with small talk? Do you often run out of things to say or feel awkward and self-conscious in social situations? Our Conversation Mastery Course teaches you the secrets of master conversationalists and gives you the skills you need to have confident, engaging, and captivating conversations with anyone, anywhere.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Conversation Starters for Any Situation
Let’s start with some killer conversation openers. These are great for simply opening a conversation with someone new or someone you haven’t seen in a while. And they’re far more interesting than the standard “Where are you from?” and “what do you do?” those are so boring. Try these instead.
- Tell me about you. This is a great one because it invites the other person to tell you something that they want to share. If they want to tell you about their job, they can. If they want to tell you about their kids, they can. And it’s a great way to know what’s at the top of someone’s mind.
- Working on anything exciting lately? This is my alternative to “what do you do?” Asking if someone is working on anything exciting helps the other person talk about something good in their life, as opposed to just giving you a boring update.
- What’s your story? This is an interesting conversation starter because it invites someone to tell you a story about them, and you never know what exciting thing they might tell you.
- What personal passion project are you working on right now? This is one of my favorites. You never know what secret side hustle someone has. I love asking this one to people I already know in one context, like work, but would love to know more about them personally.
- How do you know the host? This one can be modified to any kind of event. If you are at a party, hopefully you both have the host in common. If you are at a networking or work event, you can modify it to “How long have you been a part of this organization?”
- What was the highlight of your day today? This is a nice alternative to asking “how are you?” and it gets more interesting answers.
- What was the highlight of your week? This is a great one to ask instead of the standard question “How are you?” or “How’s it going?” It helps people share a positive story instead of just giving an autopilot answer of “Fine” or “Good.”
- Have you been to an event like this before? This one can be modified for most types of events, from birthday parties (did you come last year?) to networking events (do you come every month?).
- What was the high-point and low-point of your day so far? This one is great if you have a talker. If you are speaking with an extrovert, asking questions for them to ruminate and expand on will tickle their fancy. Extroverts love this question.
- Has this been a busy time for you? I don’t always like to ask people about being busy, but I use this conversation starter if someone seems distracted or not engaged. Sometimes acknowledging their busy-ness can hook them in.
- How’s that drink / appetizer / artwork / game? One of my favorite context cues is asking about whatever someone is holding or doing. Ask them about their wine. Ask them if they like the artwork they are looking at. Ask them if the food is good. These are very easy openers.
- Having fun? A really easy cold approach opener is to look for someone who is by themself, but looks like they are having an okay time. It’s easy to sit next to someone at a table, or stand next to someone at the bar and simply ask, “Having a good time?” or “Enjoying yourself?” It’s a nicer opener than just “How are you?”
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Keep the Conversation Going
Okay, those are my twelve killer openers. How about getting more personal? My next set of conversation starters are to help you continue the conversation.
- What are you doing this weekend? Ever had that awkward lull in a conversation? This conversation starter is always welcome. And, if it is a Monday or Tuesday, you can modify it to ask “Did you do anything fun this past weekend?” Sometimes, I also try “What’s your favorite thing to do on the weekends?”
- What are your favorite restaurants around here? I almost always ask for personal recommendations. They make great conversation starters. Why? I always get great tips! And if someone doesn’t have an answer because they are new to a city, you can talk about where they came from. Win-win!
- Keeping up with __sport / tv show / news__ recently? If you are up to date on news or sports, you could also ask your partner if they keep up as well. If so, great, you have a lot in common. If not, you can tell them about it!
- Can you recommend any unique cocktails / appetizers / desserts here? Another great way to get recommendations is asking what to order or grab from the buffet. If they haven’t eaten yet, you can go grab some food together.
- All the food looks so good… I’m not sure what to get! What are you thinking? Or what have you tried? A variation of asking for a recommendation is asking simply for advice on what to order. Even at networking events, you can walk up to the bar to get recommendations.
- What a beautiful / cool / ugly / bizarre venue. Have you been here before? One thing you will always have wherever you are, is context. Whether you are in a house, a restaurant, or a ballroom, there is always something unique to comment on and ask about.
- Did you see that viral ____ YouTube video? It was all over my social media today. If there is a great video you just watched, bring it up. If they have seen it you can laugh together. If they haven’t, you can show them!
- I’m making a coffee / going to grab a drink, does anyone else want one? This one is fantastic because you can use this to address an entire group–maybe your new team on your first day at a new job, or a group of people you are sitting with for a presentation at a conference. This can be a good way to test the water and open up further conversation with the people who join you on your coffee run.
When in doubt, if you feel a little awkward asking personal questions right out of the gate, use your environment and surroundings to create conversation. Comment on the food and drinks. Ask about the venue or location. You also can ask general interest questions, such as their favorite sports team or YouTube video.
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Take Your Conversation to a Deeper Level
Now let’s get to the deep conversation starters.
Let’s say you have been speaking to someone for a while, or it is a friend you have seen many times before and you need MORE to talk about. These are my deep conversation starters. In my book Captivate, I break down every interaction into 3 phases. The first 5 minutes — this is during your first impression when you are getting to know someone. The first 5 hours — this is when you start meeting for coffee, working together, or going on dates. And last, the first 5 days –that’s when you truly find friends, partners, and long time colleagues. These questions will help transition you from the first 5 hours to the first 5 days.
- If you had to pick any character in a book, movie, or TV show who is most similar to you, who would you choose? Why? This is great if someone has just talked about an actor or book or movie. It tells you a lot about a person to hear which character they feel most like.
- When you were growing up, what was your dream job? Is any part of that still true? I love asking this one anytime someone has just mentioned something about their childhood or growing up. It also helps you talk about whether their current job is similar to their original dream.
- What’s your biggest fear? Whew, this one is deep, but soooo good! It always sparks great conversation.
- What’s your biggest regret? Talking about regret can really help you get to know someone and their past. Only ask this if you really want to get to know someone!
- Who is your role model? If you are talking about an inspiring person, a boss, an author, or even a celebrity, you might be able to ask the person about their role model. This is a great way to talk about who inspires you too!
Remember: Be bold. Ask the deep stuff. If you are not real, the majority of conversations can hover on the surface-level topics. It’s refreshing to talk about more meaningful areas of our lives. It’s true, some of those conversation starters may be a bit forward, but if the conversation is progressing well, I encourage you to try them. You never know what you will find out!
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Conversation Starters for Work Appropriate Topics
The most successful professionals know how to both be productive at work and be likable. How can you do this? You have to use the right conversation starters to open genuine, authentic conversations in the office. I love all of the conversation starters I have already mentioned for trying with your office colleagues, but here are a few more.
- Is there a charitable cause you support? Sometimes at work all you talk about is… well… work. This question is great to learn what someone is passionate about outside of work. Make sure you have your favorite charity picked out before you ask so you have a great answer too!
- I’m a bit nervous about the _____. Have you ever done it before? Sharing personal information to others can increase how likable you are perceived to be, and can help form new social bonds. You can use this trick to start a conversation at work with a colleague, and get some good advice on whatever challenge you’re currently facing–whether it’s a new piece of software or a difficult client.
- What has been the best thing about working here? This is especially helpful if you are starting a new job. You can also use this one if someone new has joined the team and you want to share your favorite thing with them.
Have you learned any insider tips about working here? You never know what you are going to hear with this conversation starter! It’s a good one! I love to ask for insider tips and insider knowledge.
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Conversation Starters for a First Date
So you’ve ordered your drink and found a nice table. You know how to flirt, but do you know what to talk about on a first date? The best conversation starters for dating are ones that can give both of you an insight into the other’s personality and life.
- What job did you want to do when you were a kid? Maybe they wanted to be an astronaut, or a vet. You can ask follow up questions too. Are they still interested in space studies? What changed when they grew up. Do they love the job they are in now? This type of conversation starter can open up topics such as future goals and professional development too.
- If you had to pick one–skydiving, bungee jumping, or scuba diving–which would you do? This first date question is great to figure out if your date is an adventurer. It might turn out that they have done one or more of these things already. Or, they might be terrified of the idea of any of them. And if you are adventurous, good news: adventurous people are usually considered more attractive. Either way, you’re bound to get a great answer and an insight into the way they approach risk.
- What’s the most important thing I should know about you? On a first date, you are trying to really get to know each other. Basically, you are trying to suss out if someone would be a great fit for you (and you for them). This question is a great way to get to the heart of the matter.
- When you were a kid, what did you think your life would look like now? The ideal conversation starter for a first date is a Trojan Horse –something light and whimsical–and,actually, it’s a good excuse for you to share your aspirations with your date and open up potential conversations about your childhoods, education, or hobbies.
- Which of your family members are you most like? Are they particularly close to their mom, their dad, their great aunt? This question gives you an idea of their family setting, and also gives them an easy opportunity to describe themselves simply. They might say they are most like their godfather because they love books, or like their brother because they have a crude sense of humor. Their relationships with key people in their lives is likely to give you some insight into how their relationship might look like with you.
There are so many great conversation starters that can be used on a date. We even have a dedicated post on first date questions if you need even more ammo!
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Conversation Starters for Kids“Sure, I don’t mind babysitting for the night.” The words kind of slip out before you can think it through, and you’re left with a kid you don’t know. Is Batman still cool? Are Dinosaurs? Is it even still cool to say cool?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you. With these great conversation starters with kids, you’ll never run out of discussion topics. If it feels awkward, remember that research suggests back and forth conversations with children helps boost their brain development.
- Do you think there are aliens on other planets? This one is fun and there is no wrong answer; either way, the conversation will be great. If they say no, ask them why; if they say yes, ask them to think about what life on another planet might look like. Kids’ answers are usually surprisingly profound and creative.
- If you were an animal, what animal would you be? Why? This is an easy way for a child to tell you about their personality. They might relate to a puppy because they’re playful and run around a lot, or a fish because they love swimming. Also consider, what would you be? They’ll probably ask you back, so make sure you have a good answer.
- When you’re a grown up, what type of house will you live in? This is a more exciting take than the “what do you want to be when you grow up?” question. Loads of adults will ask that–b o r i n g. Instead, ask about what their house will look like. Do they want a swimming pool, a garden full of jungle plants, a slide from their bedroom into the living room? Encourage them to get creative. It might give you some fun home decor tips too.
- Who would win in a fight, a robot or a dinosaur? You can take cues from things around you–do they have some toys in the room, or a superhero on their shirt? Use this to form a question, the sillier the better. You’ll make them laugh, and they’ll rate you as the coolest grown up.
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Funny Conversation StartersFunny conversation starters can be used in (almost) all of the situations above and they serve only one purpose: to make people laugh.
Laughter is important for bringing people together, so you’re sure to be the life of the party with one of these funny conversation starters.
- What was your worst fashion disaster? Everyone has a few outfits from their past that seemed like a good idea at the time. This conversation starter will help you get to know what the people in your life were like before you met them. It will probably come with a few great stories about their days as an early 2000s emo or 1960s mod. What makes this funny conversation starter especially useful is it can cross the age divide, bringing older members of the party into center stage with fashion faux pas from the past.
- What’s the most embarrassing thing you did at school / when you were a kid? This conversation starter works best in groups, when people will have time to think of their own story while laughing at the others sharing theirs. Reminiscing about the past can make people feel calmer (so it may be worth cracking open this conversation starter on a tough day at the office).
- If you had a reality TV show about your life, what would your theme song be? It’s a good way of talking about music without asking people what bands they like (which can be a bit stilted and boring), and it short-circuits any indier-than-thou posturing in the name of fun. Bring it to life in the style of a ‘90s sitcom by probing people on the cheesy clips that might accompany their montage bonus points if you get your friends to suggest your theme tune).
- What’s your plan if there was a zombie apocalypse? Honestly, you’ll be surprised by the amount of detail people can go into it while describing their remote getaway or elaborate escape routes. This funny conversation starter can turn raucous as you pick holes in each other’s doomsday survival plans.
It might sound counterintuitive, but despite learning some great conversation starters, keep it relaxed and natural. Keep these ideas somewhere in the back of your head for lulls in conversation and awkward silences;don’t try to crowbar them into a conversation that is naturally flowing in a difficult direction. Just be yourself, have a genuine interest in people and their lives, and try to learn about them.
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Calendar Specific Conversation StartersYou can also use time to help you think of great conversation starters. These are really helpful to have in your back pocket. Whenever there is an upcoming holiday or special event, I use these as a basis for fun and light-hearted conversations. Here is a calendar-inspired conversation starter list for you. Remember you can be creative with these as well. If there is ANY holiday or event coming up, be sure to ask about it!
- January: What’s your New Year’s Resolution?
- February: Do you usually celebrate Valentine’s Day? Do you think it is a real or fake holiday?
- March: “I went to the coolest Irish bar last St. Patrick’s Day. Doing anything fun this year for it?”
- April: How long did you believe in the Easter Bunny?
- July: What’s the best fireworks display you’ve seen on the 4th of July?
- October: What’s the best Halloween costume you ever had? Or Do you like haunted houses or scary rides?
- November: What’s your favorite Thanksgiving Dinner food?
- December: How does your family celebrate the holidays?
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Birthday Party Conversation StartersIf you have a birthday or are celebrating someone else’s birthday, I always ask these to get the conversation going:
- To the birthday person: “What was the highlight of your last year?” Or, “What do you want to achieve for next year?”
- To fellow celebrators: “How do you usually celebrate your birthday?” Or, “What was the best birthday you ever had?”
- To everyone else: “What was the best (or worst) birthday gift you ever received?” This is a great one to do around a dinner table. The answers are always hilarious.
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Tinder, Bumble and Other Dating Conversation StartersTinder can be a challenge to having deep conversations — but it can be done! The best conversation starters on Tinder or other dating apps isn’t always a cheesy pick-up line. Instead, you want an opener that works twofold. You want to communicate that you have taken the time to read their profile and learned something about them, and also to tell the other person something about yourself. It’s a win-win, and the conversation will flow naturally from there once you have found some common ground.
Choose one of these great conversation starters to open a conversation on Tinder, and modify it to show your own personality. You just have to fill in the blank:
- You have a ___? Me too! Tell me more. Anything you have that is similar to the person you are interested in is a great conversation starter on Tinder. We like people like us. This is known as the similarity-attraction effect. Fill in the blank with your similarity, and then ask for more details.
- Hey – you’re a _______? That sounds really interesting. What’s your favorite thing about your job? People love talking about themselves. Keep this in mind when you’re starting conversations online too. People are more likely to respond to you if you ask a question. It goes without saying, but modify this conversation starter depending on their profile.
- Sorry if this is a bit forward, but I’m going to try out that new _____ that opens downtown next week–would you like to come? Straight to the point, this conversation opener makes it clear that you’re interested in a genuine relationship and would like to meet in real life. Make sure to keep your language casual and friendly, and you’ll ace it.
- Hey, how is your week / weekend going? This one is nice and simple, but can open a conversation to a lot of different directions–perhaps they’ve had a weekend stuck in the office working, or they’ve had an amazing week of sales. It’s important to give them some information to reply to, too.
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BONUS: How to Master Small Talk
Are you bored of the following questions:
- “How are you?”
- “How’s the weather?”
- “The traffic here was pretty bad, huh?”
I used to dread getting these questions. But fear not! I now LOVE getting asked these normal conversation starters, all because I found one AMAZING trick to change them from boring to magical! Watch my video below to find out how:
Any and all of these conversation starters will work for you, if you are courageous enough to drop the boring ones and get to the good ones. Most people are so relieved to have you start and continue the conversation anyway! Remember, you also want to have YOUR answers to these questions ready to go. If someone doesn’t know their answer, you can jump in with yours to make them feel more comfortable. Good luck! Can’t wait for you to have your next convo.
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Interesting topics for conversation with anyone, anywhere
Hello everyone!
Communication can come to a standstill regardless of who your interlocutor is: a new acquaintance or a person with whom you have known each other for a hundred years. In order not to stretch awkward pauses, it would be good to always have interesting topics for conversation at hand.
We have prepared for you a large list of topics and tips for a variety of occasions. Don't forget to save the article so you don't lose it!
Suggestions for interesting conversations
Before we go directly to the topics, we would like to dwell on important nuances that will help avoid communication mistakes:
- "Yes or no".
- If you come to a tête-à-tête meeting, do not turn the dialogue into an interrogation with passion. Do not bombard the person with questions as if he came for an interview. When deciding to touch on a particular topic, be sure to tell similar information about yourself. Usually people continue to speak out of inertia and so do not feel discomfort. But pulling the blanket over yourself, forcing you to listen only to your person, is also not worth it. Stick to the golden mean.
- Listen carefully, ask clarifying questions. This is how you show interest and show respect.
- Don't give unsolicited advice, especially to strangers. Even if you think the person needs it. This is extremely insensitive.
- Avoid complaining and pitting anyone. The negative is repulsive.
- Do not be afraid of silence. There can be natural pauses in any conversation. Long conversations are also exhausting. If it is comfortable to talk with a person, then it will be comfortable with him and be silent for a while. At least to finish your salad or finish your cup of coffee, if the circumstances are appropriate.
Topics to talk about
Each situation has its own topics to talk about, so we have divided this article into several categories. Choose your case and take note of what fits.
On a date
Before a date, the main thing to remember is how important it is to be yourself. Do not choose topics that you are not interested in.
If you do not like art, do not study the work of Claude Monet and speak about the work of Pablo Picasso before the meeting.
Look for things you can talk about passionately together.
Otherwise, you shouldn't even get upset if communication doesn't work out.
We did not divide the topics into male and female, but put together a universal list of sample questions, on the basis of which you can develop a discussion with both a guy and a girl. Not only will they help keep the conversation going, but they'll also help you get to know the person well enough to form an opinion about them and decide if they're right for you.
What are some interesting questions for the couple?
We invite you to chat on the following topics:
- How was your day, working week?
- Talk about what helped you get to know each other. For example, if the meeting took place in a group of friends, ask how long the person has known them. If the acquaintance happened on social networks, ask how often the interlocutor makes friends in this way.
- What do you like to do in your free time, what are your hobbies?
- Where are you from?
- What childhood memories do you remember the most?
- What films do you watch? What was the last time you went to the cinema? What do you recommend to watch from comedies, science fiction and other things?
- What places in the city do you visit most often?
- Where have you rested in your life and where would you prefer to return again?
- How do you feel about sports, art, music?
- Do you like to read books? What genres do you prefer? What publications do you remember the most?
- Do you have dreams?
- Tell us about your profession, study, work.
- How do you feel about alcohol?
- Are there bad habits that you struggle with?
- How do you like to spend weekends and holidays? Do you prefer a relaxing holiday or an active one?
- Do you have any pets?
- What would you like to do if you had no restrictions on finances and resources?
- Are you a lark or an owl?
- What do you value most in members of the opposite sex?
- What brings you the most joy?
- What are you looking for in a relationship? What are your goals?
- What do you watch on TV? Who is subscribed to on YouTube? How do you feel about TikTok?
- What is your attitude towards loneliness?
- Do you have childhood friends with whom you still keep in touch?
- What type of personality do you consider yourself: extroverts or introverts?
- How do you feel about self-knowledge, meditation, yoga and other practices?
- What event are you looking forward to? This could be, for example, a festival, a concert by your favorite band, a friend's birthday, a relative's wedding, etc.
These are just examples of some topics.
You can create your own list based on your own interests and preferences.
For example, if you like Italian cuisine, tell us about the most interesting dishes and ask your interlocutor what his culinary preferences are.
In the company of friends
Silence rarely hangs in a noisy company, but you can still make the meeting even more exciting and exciting. And there are countless topics for friendly conversations.
Here are the random options:
- If you were Neo in The Matrix, which pill would you choose: blue or red?
- What superpower would you like to have and why?
- Would you rather be the richest person or the smartest?
- You can discuss some interesting life hacks and suggest trying them.
- New gadgets, mobile applications, news from the world of technology.
- How do you feel about esotericism, predictions, horoscopes? Have you had any experience with similar practices?
- Discussions on adrenaline, extreme sports, climbing, camping, etc.
- Attitude towards various conspiracy theories. For example, the world is ruled by aliens, special services, is mass chipping possible, who killed Kennedy, etc.
- Do you believe in ghosts, afterlife?
- What's the best advice you've ever been given?
- What would you spend money on if you won a very large amount?
- New movies, bloopers, favorite directors, etc.
- Political news.
- Cool memes from the Internet.
- What do you think about gender equality, feminism and other movements.
- Which place of residence would you prefer: city or countryside, coastal resort or mountains, house or apartment, metropolis or province?
- Would you agree to explore a new planet in the event of an impending apocalypse?
- If you had a time machine, where would you go?
- How long could you live without communication and amenities?
- What was the first thing you felt and did if you woke up in an unfamiliar place?
Note! One of the most productive ways to spend time with friends is to organize board games. So you will avoid silence, and stretch your brain.
With strangers
In the company of strangers, topics for communication should be chosen carefully so as not to stumble upon subjects of heated disagreement.
Here are the most neutral questions that can be used for conversation:
- What do you do, what is your occupation?
- Where did you study and why exactly there?
- Do you have a hobby?
- How do you prefer to relax, spend holidays, relax after a working day?
- Where did you spend your childhood, where are you from? How did you get to this city?
- You can discuss the most popular classic questions. For example, talk about the weather, nature and housing and communal services problems.
- If friends introduced you, ask how long they have known each other and what connects them.
As you ask these questions, always remember to be sure to say the same about yourself.
In a conversation with a stranger, do not touch on “slippery” topics . It is undesirable to talk about religion, personal life, political views, finances, health.
Pay attention to the other person's reaction to certain phrases or topics. So you can understand what he is interested in, and what is better not to talk about. In addition, pay attention to how willingly the stranger communicates and whether you are too intrusive.
It may turn out that you are looking for topics to discuss in vain.
For heartfelt conversation
As a rule, topics for spiritual conversations are found by themselves. The direction will depend on who is in front of you: a close friend or a friend, a loved one, a parent, etc.
The simplest topics will be everyday life, family, relationships with relatives, colleagues, financial issues, health.
If a person is really close, then the range of topics that can be touched upon expands significantly.
You can discuss sex with your partner or spouse. Ask what suits you, what you would like to bring, what fantasies to try to realize.
Here is a list of universal topics that are suitable for heart-to-heart conversations:
- Childhood, youthful, student memories. This is an inexhaustible topic, because everyone will find funny, cute, sad, interesting stories from the past in their memory.
- Dreams of a person: what he dreamed about in childhood, what he dreams about now.
- Friendship: is it possible between a man and a woman, how does the interlocutor look at communication with former partners, etc.
- Esoteric, unknown. As a rule, in large companies, rarely does anyone admit that they believe in ghosts or have ever seen something unusual, because no one wants to be ridiculed. But behind a sincere conversation, such secrets are easier to entrust.
- Children: attitude towards children, large families, childfree.
- Intimate Such issues can be discussed not only between partners, but also between two friends. What is acceptable and what is not. You can share some funny cases from the past. But for this it is necessary that the interlocutor be really congenial and open enough for such topics.
Intimate conversations are best conducted in the evening over a cup of aromatic tea or wine to create a special intimate atmosphere.
List of deep philosophical questions
If you want something more intellectual and serious, you can discuss the following questions:
- Are we alone in the universe?
- When will people be free to fly into space? Is it necessary?
- What will happen to our planet if all people disappear? How quickly and to what extent will structures, nature, wildlife be changed?
- What books have had the greatest impact on modern civilization? If you want to show off your intellect, you can, for example, compare the Bible, the Koran, the Torah and other religious works, or share your opinion about literary classics.
- What events of world history were the most striking and significant? You can discuss the great commanders, the overthrow of empires, the conquest of new lands, etc.
- Medical novelties, the latest news from the world of pharmacological technologies, medieval and modern methods of treatment.
- The theme of immortality. Would you like to live forever, would you agree to cryogenic freezing for 200 years?
- If you could choose an era in which to live, what would it be?
- What would heaven and hell look like if you invented them?
- Is there a destiny? If so, how then freedom of choice?
- What is the meaning of life?
- Where did self-esteem come from if man evolved from apes?
- Will religion as an institution last forever or will it ever become obsolete?
- How would the world change if life expectancy increased to 500 years?
- How to live life to the fullest?
- Do animals have a soul and how does it differ from a human one?
- Is poverty inevitable?
- Do weapons protect or destroy?
- Why are the dead more respected than the living?
- How relevant is the institution of marriage and family in the modern world?
- If we learn from mistakes, why are we so afraid of them?
Such topics can be discussed in company with friends, in correspondence with a new acquaintance, in the family circle, with a beloved man (woman), even with teenage children.
You can come up with your own questions and google them first, and then show off your knowledge and thoughts in the company.
Married couple
Married life is often engulfed in routine, and over the years it is more and more difficult to find topics for communication that have not yet been ridden.
If, apart from everyday life and children, you have not talked about anything for a long time, here is an approximate list of topical topics and questions that will not only dilute the family evening, but also help you get closer:
- What are the most joyful or funny moments in your life (not necessarily joint) can you remember?
- Plan your vacation and discuss the necessary details.
- Rate how the two of you have changed since you met and why.
- What was the most difficult event in your married life for each of you?
- What annoys you the most at work?
- What brings joy and what brings sorrow?
- When did you first feel like an adult?
- What details would you change about your own appearance?
- How do you see your old age?
- What act, from your point of view, was stupid or wrong, do you regret the most?
- How did you imagine your life when you were little?
- What dreams had to be abandoned and is there a chance to fulfill them now?
- What skill would you like to acquire, what to learn?
This is only a modest part of everything that you can discuss with your soulmate. You can easily choose any topic from the section of philosophical questions or for a sincere conversation. Family psychologists also recommend sharing secrets.
You can play a game: one spouse asks any 5 questions, and the second must honestly answer them.
It would also be very good to remember what you talked about in the first days and weeks of your acquaintance. This will help to nostalgic and refresh the senses.
How to be a good conversationalist
In conclusion, here are some generally accepted rules of communication:
- If the interlocutor is talking, do not interrupt with questions, let him finish his thought. Perhaps you have found a topic that is interesting for a person and new subjects for discussion will naturally be born from it. The conversation should not be forced. The key to good dialogue is ease.
- Call your interlocutor by name. This helps to establish trust and sympathy.
- Do not use obscene language, jargon, parasitic words in company with unfamiliar people.
- Show respect even if you disagree with something said.
- Keep your distance. Not all people like it when someone breaks into their personal space.
- Avoid distractions while talking on your smartphone. This is not appropriate.
We also recommend that you check out our other publications:
- How to learn to learn
- How to learn to control your emotions and feelings
- How to keep up a conversation
- How to learn to say NO
- Where to find motivation and how to motivate yourself: effective methods and pitfalls
- How to learn to remember better: mnemonics
- How to deal with stress: useful techniques
- How to ask the right questions
Conclusion
We have sorted out the best topics for conversation. Use them as a hint, not as a guide to action. It is not necessary, for example, to go on a date with a whole list of the above questions and strive by all means to ask them all.
And to become an interesting interlocutor, you need to read a lot of fiction, news, documentary research, historical and geographical facts, self-development sources, etc. Then there will definitely not be any difficulties and confusion for the interlocutor.
We wish you exciting conversations. See you later!
Random conversation topics. Topics for conversation with a girl and a guy
Every young man wants to impress a girl with his erudition. So let's take a look at the top 20 most interesting topics for and also with friends:
1. Cinema is a pleasant topic of conversation. Ask the girl what she likes to watch. Talk about new products, favorite genres, interesting actors and, finally, invite you to the cinema.
2. Literature. Find out if your chosen one likes to read what she reads. Talk about film adaptation (for girls, this topic is most interesting).
3. Museums, memorable places. There are many cultural places in every city. Find out the girl's favorite places. Tell a funny story about your favorite place and invite them for a walk. As interesting as the sights of your own city, they will help you make contact with a girl.
4. Travel, walks. The most interesting topics for conversation with an inquisitive girl are travel and everything connected with them. If you have traveled recently, please let us know. Ask where she likes to go, where she would like to go.
5. It's not worth talking about serious shortcomings, but about harmless ones: the habit of losing pens or accidentally collecting them from friends - why not.
6. Food. You can talk endlessly about food and tastes. Do not forget to invite the girl to a cafe or out of town for the weekend.
7. Cars, transport, spare parts. These are more popular, but you can also interest a girl. Ask if she drives a car, if she likes cars and which ones. Tell us about your dream car!
8. Work and study. These interesting topics of conversation bring people together very quickly. Tell something interesting about your work or study, remember funny situations. Ask the girl about her activities. Surely you have something to remember, tell and laugh at.
9. Sports. You can start a conversation with your favorite sports. There are quite a lot of topics - sports tourism, fitness, famous athletes.
10. Health. This is a great topic for philosophizing together. You can talk about such global problems as AIDS, cancer, etc.
11. Religion. The discussions on this topic can be endless. To interest a girl, ask her if she believes in fate or believes that everyone is the creator of their own destiny, whether she believes in God, in chance.
12. Relationships. Ask about what kind of guy she would like to meet. Talk about friends (just don't talk about exes).
13. Children. Children, toddlers, little sisters and brothers, nephews - the brightest and most pleasant thing you can talk about. There is always something to tell about these wonderful creatures: funny stories, phrases and pranks.
14. Recreation and outdoor activities. These are great topics to talk to a girl on the phone. Ask about how the girl likes to spend her free time. Keep the conversation going by offering her a vacation together.
15. - the most interesting topics for conversation among people who are fond of something. Ask about the girl's hobbies and don't forget to talk about your interests.
16. Gifts, holidays. What is the favorite holiday of your chosen one? Discuss interesting ideas for gifts for various holidays. Which is better: giving or receiving? Tell us about your preferences too.
17. Clothing. Clothing is not so much a great topic of conversation as a good reason to give a girl a nice compliment. And this is a must! Say that every woman for a beloved man is beautiful and irresistible in any clothes.
18. Pets. The theme of pets is a win-win. Ask if she has pets. A dog, a cat, a fish, a parrot - someone is there for sure. Be sure to tell us about your pets.
19. Money, travel and food prices, spending on hobbies are not only an occasion for an exciting conversation with a girl, but also interesting topics for a conversation with friends.
20. Sex. You should not immediately talk about your sexual preferences, as this can cause apathy in a girl. Wait for the moment when the relationship is close enough, and she will be ready to communicate on this topic.
The topics above will help you get a girl interested!
All topics for conversation have run out, and you don't know what to talk about now with a guy you like? When meeting, how to find a topic that will be of interest to both? In fact, finding common ground with a stranger is easy! And we will tell you how to do it. In addition, you will find here a list of universal topics for talking with any guy at the first meeting, and you will learn how to properly maintain a conversation and what is better to keep silent about.
How often have you seen girls who are able to practically maintain a conversation with a completely unfamiliar man, who are able to listen and ask the right questions? There are few of them, because the ability to conduct a conversation is a complex art, which can be learned throughout life. A newbie has a lot of questions. What to talk about with guys? What topics to choose? What is not worth discussing?
The first thing to think about is the topic of the conversation. But how to choose it if you are practically not familiar with the interlocutor? A great chance to learn more about a guy is to ask him directly about his hobbies. Perhaps your passions will match.
Here's what you should unobtrusively find out from him at the first meeting:
- what he does in his free time, his hobbies, hobbies;
- favorite movie, book;
- how he spends his time more often - hanging out in clubs with friends, or prefers a quiet holiday at home;
- what are the plans for the future;
- one can ask if he has ever done crazy, thoughtless things;
- where he likes to spend his holidays/holidays.
It is quite possible that already at this stage you will find several points of interest.
Universal conversation topics for any guy
If there is no intersection of interests - do not be discouraged, there are several safe conversation topics that are suitable for communication with any guys. These topics are:
- Sports. What kind of sport does he do? Does the gym, fitness club, swimming pool visit? Does he lead a healthy lifestyle?
- His family, relatives and friends. Are there brothers and sisters? Favorite uncles and aunts? Who does he get along with the most? Perhaps he will tell some interesting stories from his childhood. You can tell something about your childhood. It brings together very well.
- Animals. Does he have pets? If not, does he dream of having someone?
- Technology. Many guys are fond of technology, well versed in electronic novelties. You can ask for advice, help in choosing a new phone, setting up a computer, etc.
- Gastronomic preferences. All guys love to eat, and this can and should be used.
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Another inexhaustible topic for conversation with any guy is the latest news and events in your city. Here are some examples:
- new movies;
- theater premieres;
- concerts held in your city;
- music festivals;
- sports events.
- latest news;
- discussion of interesting places you have visited;
- trendy nightclubs;
- beaches;
- parties.
In a conversation with a guy, you should not forget about the ability to listen to the interlocutor. You should not exclaim after each phrase: “It can’t be”, “Wow!”, “Cool!”. Such "patterned" cries often sound feigned. Try to listen calmly and very carefully to the interlocutor, you can ask relevant questions.
To be avoided
Obviously, you can not continue the conversation on the subject, if you see that she is not interesting to a man.
In addition, there are so-called "forbidden topics". Their discussion is undesirable if the guy is not your friend. These topics are:
- His and his past relationships. The main danger of such conversations is the comparison of former and current relationships, which leaves an unpleasant aftertaste and hurts pride. You should not touch on this topic, especially if you practically do not know your interlocutor;
- His failures. Guys take any troubles very hard: failures at work, losses in sports competitions are perceived by them very painfully. Talking about past troubles affects self-esteem. In such a situation, it is better to switch his attention to something positive;
- Bad habits, weaknesses. If you begin to discuss in a negative way, his bad habits, he will perceive this as a gross interference in his life. This topic should not be raised at the very beginning of a relationship. In the future, when you get closer, you can return to this.
In addition, unsuccessful topics are:
- Policy
- Religion
- Nationalism
Your views on these topics may differ significantly, so these topics should be avoided at first.
In general, if you're on a first date with a guy, it's best to talk about something cheerful and positive. Too serious topics for conversation are best left for later.
There are some more useful tips in this video:
Finding an interesting general topic for conversation is half the battle, the conversation still needs to be skillfully conducted. Here are some helpful tips for keeping the conversation going:
Many girls make mistakes when talking to guys. Here are the most common ones:
- Talking about several things at the same time. Do not quickly and often "jump" from topic to topic. This will tire the interlocutor. Focus on one thing.
- Interruption. This mistake is made by many girls, trying to make the conversation more "alive", but guys perceive this behavior as aggression. You need to learn to listen.
- Conversation in hints. This is a "feminine" way of talking. If you want to make a good impression, be direct. Hints are perceived as a way of manipulation.
- Don't complain. No need to immediately complain about a bad life, lack of finances, bad friends, neighbors. This behavior can be embarrassing. It is much more pleasant to communicate with a positive person. Focus on your accomplishments and successes.
What are the differences between women and men? A rhetorical question, but the answer will help to properly build a conversation with the opposite sex. First of all, it's impossible to chat with guys in the same way that women usually do with their girlfriends. Starting a conversation with a guy, you should understand that they are different. Men perceive the world with different eyes than women. Maybe that's why a conversation with a representative of the stronger sex is not built by itself. But having figured out how to behave and what to talk about, everything will go a little easier. To master the basics will allow understanding the features of the male perception of the dialogue.
The first aspect is that guys are less in need of chatter than girls. When building a conversation, keep this in mind. Extra information, not only overloads the powers that be, but also causes boredom. Assuming that the guy goes into his thoughts, it is quite difficult to return him from there. The first rule is to speak clearly and to the point. However, the girl wants to chat and introduce the guy as a girlfriend. This option has the right to exist, but the man should be warned in advance. He should not strain, he will treat such a conversation with understanding, because he will not try to catch the meaning in those moments where it does not exist. He will perceive a sweet conversation as unobtrusive chirping.
Guys communicate a little differently than girls
If the conversation is about something serious, you should speak the language of a guy. In other words, when building a conversation, always keep its purpose in mind. You should not be distracted by extraneous topics, and then return to the main one, with such actions you can confuse him. Their thinking is based on the formation of logical chains, and thinking about 10 topics of your conversation and combining them into one single one is quite difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to express your thoughts concisely and clearly. This wording will lead to the fact that the guy will not only listen, but also understand all the information you said.
One should also not delve into complex philosophical questions. Deviate from the main topic of conversation is also not worth it. Since men think differently, avoid innuendo, transparent hints and clearly, concisely formulate phrases. Each should correspond to the topic of conversation without unnecessary interjections. The guy should immediately understand everything you said, and not guess what you wanted to tell him.
Girls, talking among themselves, can draw premature conclusions, and then again and again. As a rule, men have a different feature of thinking, and it works according to a different mechanism: obtaining information, building a logical chain from it, and only after that the final conclusion. And talking not about and meaningless chatter only confuses. How should you communicate with a guy so that your topic does not cause unconscious irritation? We summarize all of the above: the girl's speech should be concise, understandable and coherent. When talking with him, she should stick to one topic, and not jump from one to another.
Topics for a conversation with a guy
And now directly about the topics. When talking with a guy, you cannot count on him to understand you at a glance or at a glance. Although the last aspect is quite important. The key to a successful conversation sometimes lies in the first meeting with the eyes. Therefore, you need to start a conversation with a pleasant smile and the contact of your eyes.
Having learned to speak correctly, you should think about what should be discussed, and what you can keep silent or forget about. What interests young people? Surely, fashionable novelties will not draw attention to your person, household chores, the latest publications of fashion magazines, are also of little interest to the opposite sex. You probably shouldn't start a conversation with the relationship between your girlfriend and her boyfriend and a number of similar topics. For many men, such news, which is quite important for us, seems like just off-topic chatter. For them, information about sports, politics, women, cars seems much more useful . .. In other words, everything that is real, practical, causes excitement and raises the level of adrenaline.
The topic of conversation should be of interest to the guy
And what about beauties who have no idea about these topics. Not everyone can follow the football championships or keep abreast of the latest automotive innovations. How to be? Note that each of us is interested in talking about ourselves, we will take this into service and offer to talk about it. An excellent topic for conversation, especially if you are aware of any events from his life. In the case when you do not have information, you will have to listen carefully and smile sweetly. Thus, you will not only learn a lot about your chosen one, but also support a conversation that will be interesting to him. Men love it when their companion with open eyes enthusiastically listen to their speeches.
If it's hard to say hello, what should I do?
A common situation when girls are afraid to start a conversation. The reasons can be very diverse, some are afraid of being rejected, some have a bitter experience of a breakup, others have other circumstances, but this does not mean that a woman cannot approach a guy she likes, especially when she really likes him. taste. Who does not risk, he can sit in the girls, so go ahead. First you should think about what you are interested in about this young man? In a conversation, you can ask about his work, interests and even plans for the future. We offer several phrases that allow you to make an acquaintance from the first words. Feel free to start on an off topic and lead into a conversation about something that is interesting to both of you:
- There are so many interesting things on the Internet, I just read it yesterday…
- The latest news is simply shocking….
- Guys are better versed in technology, maybe you can help me choose….
Fight the stereotypes that a woman should not be the first to show interest, start yourself and thereby not only show your best side, but also intrigue the young man.
The most difficult thing is to start a conversation
Developing the topic further
If you managed to successfully start a conversation, then proceed to the next stage. You need to make a good first impression. The young man should have a pleasant imprint from your words, thoughts and communication in general. Having thrown the first phrase, you need to think about what else you can ask and how to continue the dialogue.
First of all, you need to carefully catch every word he utters. After listening carefully, you should continue the conversation with remarks that confirm the words spoken by the guy. If you are somewhat incompetent in this matter, tactfully offer to change the subject and smoothly lead the conversation to the weather or the latest film industry.
It is very important to listen to the interlocutor
To get to know him a little better, we offer several questions that allow you to reveal his life values and goals:
What religion do you prefer?
Do you believe in reincarnation? If so, what role would you like to return to Earth?
How do you like to relax and spend your free time?
How and with whom do you celebrate solemn events?
Which area do you prefer, a bustling city or a quiet village? Why?
How do you feel about traveling abroad? Which country do you want to go to?
What do you prefer a private house or an apartment? How do you see your home?
How do you feel about national minorities and other non-traditional people?
What is your attitude towards the death penalty and life imprisonment?
What kind of relationship do you have in your family?
By asking unobtrusive questions to a man, you can determine not only his life stereotypes, but also his future attitude towards you. His expectations will be practically the same as his concepts. At this stage, you need to think about whether your opinion matches the information you heard. Full agreement indicates similarity in views, but contradictions will cause controversial points. Every wise woman can cope with them and turn in the right direction.
Unpleasant questions in a conversation with a guy and their solution
It should be remembered that each question does not imply an easy answer. To obtain the necessary information, it is better not to speak, but to listen carefully. Very often, girls want to ask a question and immediately start answering it, but this is a huge mistake. Learn to hear and understand others. Truth: silence is golden, everything is suitable for a conversation with a young man.
Direct questions, together with active attention to the words of the interlocutor, allows you to get information that will definitely help in the future. However, being a listener does not mean being malleable. You also need to be able to express your opinion and express a clear position. Active communication methods turn an ordinary listener into a professional one. In order not to get into trouble, lovely ladies should know a few simple rules for conducting a friendly conversation:
Choose a topic of conversation that you understand.
Let the other person talk more.
Show interest and carefully remember his words.
Do not interrupt.
Do not criticize or ridicule his statements.
A few fairly simple rules will help you avoid embarrassment and mistakes in conversation. Even if they arise, one should not forget about the effective female weapon - a smile. Turning the conversation into a joke, a flirtatious smile, or - are great ways to cutely get out of an uncomfortable situation.
Don't know what topics to talk about when talking to a girl or a guy? These 25 conversation topics will help you get a little closer.
A bit of theory.
Good conversation topics can help you understand each other better. Have you ever felt that in the process of communication you don't know what to talk about next, whether it's talking on the phone or talking while walking in the park? You are not alone, almost every third person faces this. Everything is learned in the practice of communication, the more you communicate with people, the more you develop the ability to find topics for conversation.
Finding topics to communicate with your boyfriend or girlfriend is much easier. You have known each other for a certain amount of time. You can use what you know in your daily communication.
If we are talking about a relationship that started recently, then there may be a communication barrier, just because you don't know much about your boyfriend or girlfriend yet. At this point, the best option is to reveal as many topics as possible in order to find something in common between you. At this stage of the relationship, you can bring up interesting topics from the past and talk about your goals for the future. There is a chance that your soulmate also has similar stories or goals. Thus, you will find not only a thread for communication, but also something in common. For the first time it will be a good start.
If the relationship lasts for a long time and you are already used to each other, then there may be silence between you. Silence in a relationship that lasts for a long time can be quite normal.
No matter how long you've been in a relationship, communication is a way to learn to understand each other better, learn more about your significant other, and just get closer.
25 topics for communication
You can use all these topics on a daily basis.
1. Weekend plans. Plan your leisure and rest, even if today is Monday. Firstly, it is fun and exciting, and secondly, you will be looking forward to the long-awaited weekend. Sites similar in subject matter to afisha.ua (for Ukraine) and afisha.ru (for Russia) will help you keep track of events that take place in your city.
2. Compliments. Talking about the qualities you love is an integral part of any relationship. This topic will not only be pleasant, but will also show how much you value and appreciate your beloved or beloved. Try to praise your soul mate, give pleasant compliments and do it with feelings, with love.
3. Daily care. To be interested in what happened throughout the day, how you slept that night, how your working day or day at school went, whether he or she was tired for the whole day, whether something worries - all this makes it possible to feel care from close person, which is important in a relationship.
4. Work. One of the places where we spend a large amount of our time is work (study). Things happen at work every day. Conflicts and all sorts of situations often arise in the workplace. Also, by talking about work, it will be easier for both of you to understand each other from a professional point of view.
5. Little secrets. It's always interesting to talk about secrets. You can make it a game by uncovering one secret in turn. It's exciting and a lot of fun.
6. Films, entertainment programs, shows. There are more and more films every year. If we are not at the TV screens, as we used to be, then we watch everything on the computer. Discussing some new movie or show is a great conversation starter.
7. Food, cooking. Who doesn't love delicious food? Especially interesting when it comes to co-cooking. Even if your loved one or loved one is not a master at cooking, you can learn how to cook together. You can learn together about your favorite and least favorite dishes, share cooking experiences.
8. Dreams. Do you have a dream? Share it, even if it is half feasible, or in your opinion not feasible, your loved one or loved one will learn a little more about you.
9. Rest. Plan a vacation together for a couple of days, a week or a month. Holidays together will be the highlight of the entire calendar year.
10. Hobbies and interests. What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you have daily hobbies? Share your hobbies, most likely your significant other may have several hobbies that you enjoy.
11. Friends. It's always good to know about each other's friends. This is another step to learn more about your surroundings and what you do when you spend time with your friends.
12. Personal achievements. Ask a loved one or loved ones moments in life that they can be proud of. These can be personal achievements (at work, school, in any sport, etc.), which will be nice to remember and talk about.
13. Offer for help. If you can help in any way, offer your help. The more often you try to help and the more often you do something together, the closer you will be to each other.
14. Plans for the future. Does your future plans say how you see yourself in a few years? Shared goals always make relationships stronger and give you the opportunity to achieve them together.
15. Self-improvement. Love is a good motive for self-improvement. This topic is very relevant for a loving couple. When you work together to be the best for each other, relationships become stronger. Perhaps you would like to improve your personal qualities of character or get rid of bad habits, talk about a previous quarrel, review your shortcomings and strive to eliminate them. Your every step towards improvement will be appreciated by your significant other.
16. Parents. Another interesting topic, especially if you have not introduced your beloved or loved one to your parents, she or he will certainly be interested in knowing about your parents and your relationship with them.
17. Problems in bed. If there are problems in bed, don't debug them. At some point, they will return anyway, so it’s better to solve them right away. If your loved one is not fully enjoying it, you should sit down and talk about how you can work it out together.
18. Talk about sex. In a relationship, sexual intimacy is just as important as romance. Talk about your sexually sensitive spots, erogenous zones, positions you would like to try, your secret desires and fantasies and everything that turns you on in bed.
19. Health. Taking care and asking about the health of a loved one or loved one is no less important than taking care of everyday problems.
20. Tips. If you are well versed in solving any issue, problem, situation, you can give advice. Tips can be useful for improving personal qualities, any business at work, daily personal life, etc.
21. Your past. Topics about your childhood, what happened to you before you met. Talk about the former is better not to touch.
22. Future. What would you like to do in this life? The topic may involve intelligent conversations that can help you get your significant other's opinion about life and activities that are important to them.
23. Preferences. Sometimes it can be conversations about the little things in life that can drag on for several hours. Talk about your likes and dislikes. From time to time, preferences change, and the more you know about current preferences, the more you know about your loved one or loved one.
25. Memories. It is always a pleasant topic to remember the first hugs, the first kiss, the first words “I love you”, the places you have been together, funny stories that have happened to you.
About what…. What to talk about? Yes about everything! Such an answer! Have you ever tried to talk about absolutely everything? There is nothing difficult in such conversations. All you need is a so-called "hook".
- Listen to your interlocutor! See what topics he enjoys talking about.
- Do not interrupt someone who is speaking. Then you won't have to worry about topics. The person who pours out his soul to you will himself “dissolve” in topics for conversation.
- Remember what the person talked to you about before (unless, of course, you have talked before). And start "leaning" on old topics.
Didn't find anything great?
Didn't see “interesting topics” in the tips?
Especially when you are not using the camera. "Invisibility" liberates people.
I met my husband and I on the Internet. It so happened that I was incredibly sociable, like him. But since I found it... That conversational initiative was “attached” to me. I never go into my pockets for a word, so I knew what to say and when. My habit is “interrogative rain”. I added Stasik to Friends (on a social network) and immediately began to ask about many things. He got tired, probably, from me in the first seconds. But he didn't admit it. What topics were covered?
Our first conversation was more like a very detailed questionnaire:
- How old are you?
- Who are you according to the Zodiac?
- What do you like to do in life?
- What do you like?
- What do you work for?
- Is that you in the photo?
- Where are you from?
- Where do you live now?
- What is the nationality of your parents?
- Do you have a brother or sister?
- Where do you work?
- What are your eating habits?
- Do you have a favorite color?
- What kind of women (girls) do you like?
- What do you like to do on the Internet?
- How do you feel about coincidences?
I can go on listing questions for a long time, but you will simply get bored reading them.