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Questions for interesting conversation


50 Topics to Spark Good Conversation

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Resources / Groups & Clubs

Posted by Sarah Pryor


Even if you’re the most extroverted person out there, chatting it up with new acquaintances doesn’t always happen as naturally as you might think. A good question or topic is key to making connections and starting conversations.  

Also, be sure to show genuine interest when listening to responses. It will help the conversation flow and give you ideas for follow up questions once the conversation begins. 

Whether you’re at a casual party, a business function or somewhere in between, here are 50 conversation starters that will help get your social gears in motion.  

Conversation Topics That Will Work Anywhere

These topics will work everywhere, from the company picnic to your nephew’s birthday party. One tip: If you’re asking someone a question, be sure to have your answer ready to go.

  1. Tell me about yourself. This open-ended conversation starter is perfect because it invites the other person to reveal as much (or as little) about themselves as they want.
  2. What’s been the best part of your day so far? A great way to keep things positive — even if the person has had a terrible day, they’ll be able to find something good to say about it.
  3. What do you do to relax? Almost everyone needs a little more relaxation these days. In addition to helping you get to know the other person better, asking this question may help you find some new tips to unwind.
  4. What book are you reading right now? If they haven’t had time for reading lately, ask them to share the last great book they read or what titles are on their list for the future.
  5. What’s your favorite thing about your hometown? A great follow up question to “Where are you from?” this conversation starter will get the memories flowing and may even give you some great recommendations if you are ever passing through town.
  6. What’s the last thing you bought online that you really loved? Besides helping you get to know the other person, this topic might help you find your next great online purchase.
  7. What would be your perfect weekend? Some people love to spend their weekends unwinding, while others pack tons of plans into those 48 hours. This question is also a good way to find out the other person’s hobbies and what they do for fun.
  8. What’s something (besides your phone) that you take with you everywhere? You may find out about a person’s lucky charm, a sentimental photo or some other meaningful piece of memorabilia.
  9. What’s the last great show you binged? If you both watch television, you’re likely to find something in common with this topic. You might even get a recommendation for your next favorite show.
  10. If you started a business, what kind would it be? Tap into people’s entrepreneurial spirit with this topic, which could lead to more follow-up conversation if the person has a business already or is planning to open one soon.
  11. What’s your favorite season and why? A great alternative to “Wow, it’s ____ outside today,” this topic invites the other person to talk about their preferred temperature, climate, holidays and more.
  12. Have you seen that viral video/meme? An easy way to get the conversation going is to mention a video or meme that’s recently gone viral. Since almost everyone spends at least some amount of time on their phone these days, the other person is likely to have at least heard of it.
  13. What’s your hidden talent? You’re sure to find out some fun facts about people with this question. From juggling to skateboarding to braiding hair, you never know what talents someone may have.

Coordinate your bok club meetings with an online sign up. View an Example

At a Party

Parties are a great chance to flex your conversational muscles. You’ll likely have varying degrees of familiarity with your fellow party guests, so these conversation tips will help you deepen your connection. Who knows? You may leave the party upgraded from acquaintances to friends.

  1. How do you know the host/hostess? This will help you immediately make a connection with another partygoer since you have at least one friend in common. Finding out how they know the host and sharing stories about your mutual friend will help you feel closer in no time.
  2. Did you come to this party last year? This works great for a birthday party or other annual event.
  3. What are you drinking? Whether it’s alcohol, soda, or just water, this question will likely open up a larger dialogue. Be prepared to follow up with questions like “Is it good?” and “Have you had it before?”
  4. What’s your favorite restaurant around here? Especially relevant if you’re in a different part of town, this question will get the conversation going and potentially give you some great recommendations for the future.
  5. What did you get the birthday girl/guy? If It’s a birthday party and the guests have brought gifts, this question is a sure-fire way to start chatting. You may even find out something new about your friend the host.
  6. Who is your favorite singer/actor/sports personality? Depending on the context of your party, this topic may work well organically (if there’s live music or a sports/game element, for example), and could start a fun debate.
  7. Have you tried _____ (food)? If there’s food at the party, asking fellow partygoers what they think of the spread is a great way to start chatting. If it’s a potluck, ask people what they brought, how they made it, etc.
  8. What’s the best birthday gift you’ve ever received? This one will get the memories going — have fun getting nostalgic thinking about birthdays gone by.

At a Work Event

Conferences, after work happy hours, the break room at lunch — there are so many work-related places where you might find yourself having a conversation with a coworker. Here are a few tips to help you make connections and extend your network.

  1. How long have you worked here? This invites the other person to share a little about their history with the company and is a great chance for you to find out something new.
  2. What’s your favorite part of your job? It can be tempting to complain about work when coworkers get together; keeping the conversation positive will go a long way to uplift your team.
  3. Are you working on any personal passion projects right now? Take a break from shop talk and let the other person tell you about their interests outside the office.
  4. What are you going to do this weekend? Find out someone’s weekend plans and you’ll get to know them on a deeper level. Are they going for a hike or kicking it on the couch? This topic also lends itself well to follow-up questions (Where’s your favorite hiking trail? What show are you binging?).
  5. What did you want to be when you grew up? This is a great topic for workplace events because you can follow up with questions about elements of their career that apply to their childhood dream job.
  6. What would be your dream vacation? Find out how they’d like to use those PTO days (and get some recommendations for future vacations for yourself).
  7. Do you consider yourself organized? Whether they’re obsessed with order or thrive in messy chaos, this topic will help you get to know the person on a deeper level.
  8. How do you measure your success? This open-ended question will help make a more substantial connection. You could follow up by asking who are some of the most successful people they know, and how others can get to that level.

Plan company community service projects with an online sign up. View an Example

On a Date

A date — especially a first date — can be the holy grail of awkward chit-chat. Use these tips to keep the conversation flowing.

  1. What’s the last thing that made you laugh out loud? The only thing people love more than laughing is making others laugh. This conversation starter also gives an opening for people to show you a hilarious video or share a memory that you can giggle about together.
  2. What was your first car? Is there anything more nostalgic than a person’s first car? Whether it’s laughably embarrassing or impossibly cool, they’ll almost certainly want to share a story about their first set of wheels.
  3. What person in your life brings you the most joy? A perfect chance to talk about their mom, grandfather or other beloved family member or friend, this topic is sure to lead to more conversation as your date shares stories about the person they love.
  4. Do you have any tattoos? People usually love sharing the stories behind their tattoos. Or if they don’t have any, they’ll probably be happy to explain why.
  5. Do you have any pets? What are their names? Get to know whether they’re a dog or cat person (or reptile or bird!) and find out the meaning behind Fido’s name.
  6. What were you obsessed with when you were a child? Dinosaurs, monster trucks, Barbies — every kid has an obsession and finding out your date’s childhood interests might help you learn more about them as an adult.
  7. What’s your most controversial opinion? People love giving “hot takes.” Find out your date’s ultimate controversial opinion and be ready to share your own point of view on the topic, doing your best to reach understanding if you don’t agree.
  8. What’s the most annoying habit a person can have? Bond over shared annoyance with this topic (or find out if you have the habit they hate).
  9. What are you going to order? If you’re at a restaurant, bar, coffee shop or anywhere else with a menu, this easy conversation starter is sure to get the other person chatting. Plus you’ll figure out the vibe of the date (i.e. cocktails and apps or a beer and a huge steak).
  10. Where’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been? This question works well for travelers and homebodies alike. A citizen of the world might tell you about an exotic foreign locale while a less-traveled person might tell you about a particularly special area close to their hometown. Either way, the conversation is sure to flow.

Coordinate Sunday School volunteers with an online sign up. View an Example

With Children

If you don’t have children of your own or aren’t around kids often, it can feel daunting to try to chat with them. But the truth is most children love to talk to grownups, especially about a topic that interests them. Bust out these ideas at your next child’s birthday party or sporting event.

  1. What’s your favorite dinosaur? Of course, not every child likes dinosaurs or knows enough about them to have a favorite. But many of them do, and if they don’t, they’ll be happy to tell you something else they do like. Be ready to follow up with “How about planets?” or any other child-friendly topic.
  2. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Family is a favorite topic for most kids since they spend all their time together. This is especially true if they have a new baby in the house and are getting used to their older sibling status. Be sure to follow up with “Are they older or younger?” and “What do you like to do together?”
  3. What show are you watching right now? Kids love to talk about their favorite shows, which they likely watch over and over. Ask why they like that show and what is their favorite episode.
  4. What food would you eat every day if you could? A fun alternative to “what’s your favorite food,” this topic will likely bring some hilarious answers. You can follow up with questions like “What kind of candy?” and “How many bowls of mac and cheese could you eat in one sitting?”
  5. What’s your favorite color? What about your brother’s favorite color? If there’s one thing kids catch onto early, it’s their favorite color. And they likely know the preferred hue for their family and close friends.
  6. What are you going to do for your birthday this year? Don’t worry if their birthday has already passed or they aren’t doing anything big. Kids love to talk about their grandiose birthday plans — even if they will never happen. This topic also lends itself well to follow up questions like “What kind of cake will you have?” and “Who are you going to invite?”
  7. What’s your favorite subject in school? For kids, school is their full-time job. It’s where they spend lots of their time and mental energy, so they should have plenty to talk about. Follow up with questions about why they like that particular subject and which subjects are not on their list.
  8. What’s your favorite animal? Kids have strong opinions about their favorite animals, whether they are real or imaginary. You can keep the conversation going with follow-up questions about favorite animals that are pets, live at the zoo, live in the ocean and more.
  9. What’s your favorite room in your house and why? To kids, home is their playground and safe space, so they will likely love to chat about it. You could ask more questions about their favorite toys, books and things to do outside.
  10. Which TV show or movie would you want to come true in real life? Whether they’d like their favorite cartoon animal to come alive or live in a castle like a movie princess, kids are sure to have lots of opinions on this one.
  11. What’s your favorite song? Get ready to listen to them sing it!

No matter what kind of event you’re attending, these questions and topics are sure to get the conversation going. Happy chatting! 

Sarah Pryor is a journalist, wife, mom and Auburn football fan living in Charlotte, N.C.

Just wanted to say, this is such a great resource. I have told so many people about it. Great for school, sports, parties. Thank you!!

Lesley Kirts - Towson, MD

Resources / Groups & Clubs


Even if you’re the most extroverted person out there, chatting it up with new acquaintances doesn’t always happen as naturally as you might think. A good question or topic is key to making connections and starting conversations.  

Also, be sure to show genuine interest when listening to responses. It will help the conversation flow and give you ideas for follow up questions once the conversation begins. 

Whether you’re at a casual party, a business function or somewhere in between, here are 50 conversation starters that will help get your social gears in motion. 

Conversation Topics That Will Work Anywhere

These topics will work everywhere, from the company picnic to your nephew’s birthday party. One tip: If you’re asking someone a question, be sure to have your answer ready to go.

  1. Tell me about yourself. This open-ended conversation starter is perfect because it invites the other person to reveal as much (or as little) about themselves as they want.
  2. What’s been the best part of your day so far? A great way to keep things positive — even if the person has had a terrible day, they’ll be able to find something good to say about it.
  3. What do you do to relax? Almost everyone needs a little more relaxation these days. In addition to helping you get to know the other person better, asking this question may help you find some new tips to unwind.
  4. What book are you reading right now? If they haven’t had time for reading lately, ask them to share the last great book they read or what titles are on their list for the future.
  5. What’s your favorite thing about your hometown? A great follow up question to “Where are you from?” this conversation starter will get the memories flowing and may even give you some great recommendations if you are ever passing through town.
  6. What’s the last thing you bought online that you really loved? Besides helping you get to know the other person, this topic might help you find your next great online purchase.
  7. What would be your perfect weekend? Some people love to spend their weekends unwinding, while others pack tons of plans into those 48 hours. This question is also a good way to find out the other person’s hobbies and what they do for fun.
  8. What’s something (besides your phone) that you take with you everywhere? You may find out about a person’s lucky charm, a sentimental photo or some other meaningful piece of memorabilia.
  9. What’s the last great show you binged? If you both watch television, you’re likely to find something in common with this topic. You might even get a recommendation for your next favorite show.
  10. If you started a business, what kind would it be? Tap into people’s entrepreneurial spirit with this topic, which could lead to more follow-up conversation if the person has a business already or is planning to open one soon.
  11. What’s your favorite season and why? A great alternative to “Wow, it’s ____ outside today,” this topic invites the other person to talk about their preferred temperature, climate, holidays and more.
  12. Have you seen that viral video/meme? An easy way to get the conversation going is to mention a video or meme that’s recently gone viral. Since almost everyone spends at least some amount of time on their phone these days, the other person is likely to have at least heard of it.
  13. What’s your hidden talent? You’re sure to find out some fun facts about people with this question. From juggling to skateboarding to braiding hair, you never know what talents someone may have.

Coordinate your bok club meetings with an online sign up. View an Example

At a Party

Parties are a great chance to flex your conversational muscles. You’ll likely have varying degrees of familiarity with your fellow party guests, so these conversation tips will help you deepen your connection. Who knows? You may leave the party upgraded from acquaintances to friends.

  1. How do you know the host/hostess? This will help you immediately make a connection with another partygoer since you have at least one friend in common. Finding out how they know the host and sharing stories about your mutual friend will help you feel closer in no time.
  2. Did you come to this party last year? This works great for a birthday party or other annual event.
  3. What are you drinking? Whether it’s alcohol, soda, or just water, this question will likely open up a larger dialogue. Be prepared to follow up with questions like “Is it good?” and “Have you had it before?”
  4. What’s your favorite restaurant around here? Especially relevant if you’re in a different part of town, this question will get the conversation going and potentially give you some great recommendations for the future.
  5. What did you get the birthday girl/guy? If It’s a birthday party and the guests have brought gifts, this question is a sure-fire way to start chatting. You may even find out something new about your friend the host.
  6. Who is your favorite singer/actor/sports personality? Depending on the context of your party, this topic may work well organically (if there’s live music or a sports/game element, for example), and could start a fun debate.
  7. Have you tried _____ (food)? If there’s food at the party, asking fellow partygoers what they think of the spread is a great way to start chatting. If it’s a potluck, ask people what they brought, how they made it, etc.
  8. What’s the best birthday gift you’ve ever received? This one will get the memories going — have fun getting nostalgic thinking about birthdays gone by.

At a Work Event

Conferences, after work happy hours, the break room at lunch — there are so many work-related places where you might find yourself having a conversation with a coworker. Here are a few tips to help you make connections and extend your network.

  1. How long have you worked here? This invites the other person to share a little about their history with the company and is a great chance for you to find out something new.
  2. What’s your favorite part of your job? It can be tempting to complain about work when coworkers get together; keeping the conversation positive will go a long way to uplift your team.
  3. Are you working on any personal passion projects right now? Take a break from shop talk and let the other person tell you about their interests outside the office.
  4. What are you going to do this weekend? Find out someone’s weekend plans and you’ll get to know them on a deeper level. Are they going for a hike or kicking it on the couch? This topic also lends itself well to follow-up questions (Where’s your favorite hiking trail? What show are you binging?).
  5. What did you want to be when you grew up? This is a great topic for workplace events because you can follow up with questions about elements of their career that apply to their childhood dream job.
  6. What would be your dream vacation? Find out how they’d like to use those PTO days (and get some recommendations for future vacations for yourself).
  7. Do you consider yourself organized? Whether they’re obsessed with order or thrive in messy chaos, this topic will help you get to know the person on a deeper level.
  8. How do you measure your success? This open-ended question will help make a more substantial connection. You could follow up by asking who are some of the most successful people they know, and how others can get to that level.

Plan company community service projects with an online sign up. View an Example

On a Date

A date — especially a first date — can be the holy grail of awkward chit-chat. Use these tips to keep the conversation flowing.

  1. What’s the last thing that made you laugh out loud? The only thing people love more than laughing is making others laugh. This conversation starter also gives an opening for people to show you a hilarious video or share a memory that you can giggle about together.
  2. What was your first car? Is there anything more nostalgic than a person’s first car? Whether it’s laughably embarrassing or impossibly cool, they’ll almost certainly want to share a story about their first set of wheels.
  3. What person in your life brings you the most joy? A perfect chance to talk about their mom, grandfather or other beloved family member or friend, this topic is sure to lead to more conversation as your date shares stories about the person they love.
  4. Do you have any tattoos? People usually love sharing the stories behind their tattoos. Or if they don’t have any, they’ll probably be happy to explain why.
  5. Do you have any pets? What are their names? Get to know whether they’re a dog or cat person (or reptile or bird!) and find out the meaning behind Fido’s name.
  6. What were you obsessed with when you were a child? Dinosaurs, monster trucks, Barbies — every kid has an obsession and finding out your date’s childhood interests might help you learn more about them as an adult.
  7. What’s your most controversial opinion? People love giving “hot takes.” Find out your date’s ultimate controversial opinion and be ready to share your own point of view on the topic, doing your best to reach understanding if you don’t agree.
  8. What’s the most annoying habit a person can have? Bond over shared annoyance with this topic (or find out if you have the habit they hate).
  9. What are you going to order? If you’re at a restaurant, bar, coffee shop or anywhere else with a menu, this easy conversation starter is sure to get the other person chatting. Plus you’ll figure out the vibe of the date (i.e. cocktails and apps or a beer and a huge steak).
  10. Where’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been? This question works well for travelers and homebodies alike. A citizen of the world might tell you about an exotic foreign locale while a less-traveled person might tell you about a particularly special area close to their hometown. Either way, the conversation is sure to flow.

Coordinate Sunday School volunteers with an online sign up. View an Example

With Children

If you don’t have children of your own or aren’t around kids often, it can feel daunting to try to chat with them. But the truth is most children love to talk to grownups, especially about a topic that interests them. Bust out these ideas at your next child’s birthday party or sporting event.

  1. What’s your favorite dinosaur? Of course, not every child likes dinosaurs or knows enough about them to have a favorite. But many of them do, and if they don’t, they’ll be happy to tell you something else they do like. Be ready to follow up with “How about planets?” or any other child-friendly topic.
  2. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Family is a favorite topic for most kids since they spend all their time together. This is especially true if they have a new baby in the house and are getting used to their older sibling status. Be sure to follow up with “Are they older or younger?” and “What do you like to do together?”
  3. What show are you watching right now? Kids love to talk about their favorite shows, which they likely watch over and over. Ask why they like that show and what is their favorite episode.
  4. What food would you eat every day if you could? A fun alternative to “what’s your favorite food,” this topic will likely bring some hilarious answers. You can follow up with questions like “What kind of candy?” and “How many bowls of mac and cheese could you eat in one sitting?”
  5. What’s your favorite color? What about your brother’s favorite color? If there’s one thing kids catch onto early, it’s their favorite color. And they likely know the preferred hue for their family and close friends.
  6. What are you going to do for your birthday this year? Don’t worry if their birthday has already passed or they aren’t doing anything big. Kids love to talk about their grandiose birthday plans — even if they will never happen. This topic also lends itself well to follow up questions like “What kind of cake will you have?” and “Who are you going to invite?”
  7. What’s your favorite subject in school? For kids, school is their full-time job. It’s where they spend lots of their time and mental energy, so they should have plenty to talk about. Follow up with questions about why they like that particular subject and which subjects are not on their list.
  8. What’s your favorite animal? Kids have strong opinions about their favorite animals, whether they are real or imaginary. You can keep the conversation going with follow-up questions about favorite animals that are pets, live at the zoo, live in the ocean and more.
  9. What’s your favorite room in your house and why? To kids, home is their playground and safe space, so they will likely love to chat about it. You could ask more questions about their favorite toys, books and things to do outside.
  10. Which TV show or movie would you want to come true in real life? Whether they’d like their favorite cartoon animal to come alive or live in a castle like a movie princess, kids are sure to have lots of opinions on this one.
  11. What’s your favorite song? Get ready to listen to them sing it!

No matter what kind of event you’re attending, these questions and topics are sure to get the conversation going. Happy chatting! 

Sarah Pryor is a journalist, wife, mom and Auburn football fan living in Charlotte, N.C.

57 Killer Conversation Starters So You Can Talk to Anyone

Table of Contents

  1. Conversation Starters for Any Situation
  2. Keep the Conversation Going
  3. Take Your Conversation to a Deeper Level
  4. Conversation Starters for Work Appropriate Topics
  5. Conversation Starters for a First Date
  6. Conversation Starters for Kids
  7. Funny Conversation Starters
  8. Calendar Specific Conversation Starters
  9. Birthday Party Conversation Starters
  10. Tinder, Bumble and Other Dating Conversation Starters
  11. 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.

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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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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?”
  6. What was the highlight of your day today? This is a nice alternative to asking “how are you?” and it gets more interesting answers.
  7. 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.”
  8. 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?).
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11.  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.
  12. 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.

  1. 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?”
  2. 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!
  3. 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!
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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!
  8. 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. What’s your biggest fear? Whew, this one is deep, but soooo good! It always sparks great conversation.
  4. 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!
  5. 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.

  1. 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!
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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 Starters

Funny 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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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).
  3. 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).
  4. 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 Starters

You 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!

  1. January: What’s your New Year’s Resolution?
  2. February: Do you usually celebrate Valentine’s Day? Do you think it is a real or fake holiday?
  3. March: “I went to the coolest Irish bar last St. Patrick’s Day. Doing anything fun this year for it?”
  4. April: How long did you believe in the Easter Bunny?
  5. July: What’s the best fireworks display you’ve seen on the 4th of July?
  6. October: What’s the best Halloween costume you ever had? Or Do you like haunted houses or scary rides?
  7. November: What’s your favorite Thanksgiving Dinner food?
  8. December: How does your family celebrate the holidays?

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Birthday Party Conversation Starters

If you have a birthday or are celebrating someone else’s birthday, I always ask these to get the conversation going:

  1. To the birthday person: “What was the highlight of your last year?” Or, “What do you want to achieve for next year?”
  2. To fellow celebrators: “How do you usually celebrate your birthday?” Or, “What was the best birthday you ever had?”
  3. 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 Starters

Tinder 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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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80 questions that will turn a sluggish conversation into an exciting conversation . If you are tired of idle chatter or want to talk to a new acquaintance, try asking something unusual, for example, what pill would he choose in Neo's place or what would he say to aliens as a representative of all mankind, and you will not only have a great time, but people will also remember as an engaging conversationalist.

ADME has compiled a large list of questions that will allow you to get away from the usual circle of topics and learn a lot of interesting things about the people around you, even if you have known them for a long time.

© La La Land / Lionsgate

  • If you were permanently banned from your current job, what new career would you choose?
  • If you had the opportunity to never work again, would you take it?
  • Did you have dreams that you remember for the rest of your life?
  • What kind of person do you admire?
  • Would you like to be friends with a person like you?
  • What was the most beautiful place you have ever visited?
  • If you could go anywhere on the planet, where would you go?
  • If you could live anywhere, what would it be?
  • If the list of 7 wonders of the world had to be rewritten, what would you include?
  • What exactly should every person experience at least once in their life?
  • What is your greatest fear in the world?
  • Have you had an event in your life when it seemed that everything was bad, and then it turned out that everything was for the best?
  • Are there films or books that everyone admires, but you can't stand them, and vice versa?
  • Have you ever cried over a book or a movie? What books and films were they?
  • If you could be a character in a book or movie, what would it be?
  • If your life were a movie, what would it be called?
  • What is the strangest compliment you have ever been given?
  • What was the most embarrassing situation you've ever had in your life?
  • Do you have any "shameful pleasures" that, however, give you a feeling of happiness and fullness of life?
  • If you could change one thing about your past, what would it be?
  • If you could change one thing in the world, what would you choose?
  • If you had to eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
  • If you had to live the same day over and over again, which day in your life would you choose?
  • Would you like to become immortal?
  • If you had a year to live, how would you spend it?
  • If you could give advice to yourself at 15, what would it be?
  • What is your best childhood memory?
  • If as a child you could put all your favorite things in a time capsule and send them to the future, what items would be there?
  • How do you envision your ideal day?
  • If you could only own 5 things, what would they be?
  • What is the wisest thought you have ever heard?
  • If you could learn anything in half an hour, what would you learn?
  • If you could stay at a certain age forever, what age would you choose?
  • If you could start your life over again at the age of 10, but still retain all your experience and knowledge, would you do it?
  • If you could choose an era in which to live, which era would suit you best?
  • If you could see with your own eyes any event from the past, present or future, which would you choose?
  • What superpower would you like to have?
  • If you had to choose only one option, would you like your child to grow up smart or kind?
  • If you were offered eternal youth and a lot of money on the condition that you will never have love and a family, would you agree?
  • Is there some piece of information or theory that you simply believe because there is no evidence for it? Why?

© Perfetti sconosciuti / Leone Film Group

  • You are having lunch with someone you respect a lot. Suddenly, he starts telling nasty gossip about your close friend and taunting him, not knowing that he is your friend. What are you going to do?
  • You have access to JK Rowling's Twitter for one day. What new information about the magical world would you publish?
  • You return home from work and see that a clone has taken your place, and your spouse and children have not noticed the substitution. How to prove that their real relative is you?
  • After a divorce, you find a lottery ticket in the apartment that your ex-spouse bought and win $100,000. Share with your ex?
  • If you were Neo in The Matrix, would you like to know the truth or remain ignorant?
  • Imagine that you can become the most beautiful person on the planet, but with every first kiss you will involuntarily hiccup. Agree?
  • You will receive $1 million if you hide a bunch of keys so that the whole country's police force cannot find them. Where will you hide them?
  • You have been invited to take part in an experiment: you must remain alone for a whole month, without communicating with a single person, in a room where there is only a bed, a toilet, water and food. If you don't give up, get $1 million. Do you agree or not?
  • You found out that your best friend is the same person who robs drivers of expensive cars on the road, taking money and jewelry, and then gives them to children with cancer for treatment. Will you hand him over to the police?
  • Aliens have taken over Earth. You are a representative of earthlings, and in a conversation they say that they plan to eat 10 million people a year. You categorically object: "It's not fair!" The aliens are surprised: “We don’t understand! Humans eat other living beings! We are a more developed race, for us there is no difference between a man and a cow, why can't we eat you? What arguments will you find to convince them?
  • You are the only surgeon in the hospital. You have just been informed that your relatives died in an accident, the driver was drunk. A minute later, he is brought to the operating room in a serious condition. How will you do it?
  • Imagine that you could choose to leave the world as it is or rid it of wars and conflicts, but the internet would also disappear forever. What do you decide?
  • Imagine that there is a magic pill that gives the person who takes it beauty, good luck in all matters and a happy fate. But the day after his 35th birthday, this person will die. Would you take such a pill?
  • The government began to distribute tasty pills to people for free, after taking which a person feels that the world is paradise, he himself is happy, and the people around are the best creatures on Earth. The action of the tablets lasts several hours, there are no side effects, they do not affect health and do not cause addiction. The decision whether to use them or not depends only on the person himself. Would you take pills like other people around?
  • Your ship has hit an iceberg. The crew and passengers could hardly fit into 2 lifeboats. A storm began, and it became clear that the overloaded boats were about to capsize. To save yourself, you need to push some of the people overboard. You are the captain. How do you do? How do you decide who to donate?
  • You have been offered to freeze your body for 200 years for free at any time you want. Agree?
  • Let us assume that life after death exists. What would hell and heaven look like if you invented them?

© The Big Bang Theory / Warner Bros. Television

  • If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
  • Would you rather have 3 legs or 3 arms?
  • Would you rather have a cat in the body of a dog or a dog in the body of a cat?
  • Would you rather read minds or see through walls?
  • Would you rather be the richest person in the world or the smartest?
  • Would you rather be able to speak all the languages ​​of the world or be able to talk to animals?
  • Which would you rather be able to read other people's minds or fly?
  • Would you rather be married to someone who loves you but you don't love him or someone you love unrequitedly?
  • Would you rather look like a 20 year old but feel like an 80 year old or look like an 80 year old but feel like a 20 year old?
  • Would you rather be able to erase your memories or those of other people?
  • Would you rather have unearthly beauty or an unsurpassed sense of humor?
  • Would you rather have a photographic memory or an incredibly high IQ?
  • Which would you prefer: an allergy to chocolate or an allergy to a smartphone?
  • Would you rather never hear music again or lose the ability to read? What will you choose?
  • What would you rather not taste or see the world in black and white?
  • Would you rather be a vampire or a werewolf?
  • Which would you prefer: a trunk like an elephant or a neck like a giraffe?
  • Which is worse: losing sight or hearing?
  • Imagine that the genes of an embryo during pregnancy can be changed without side effects. Would you allow this to be done to change a child's gender or appearance?
  • Some people think that keeping animals in zoos is cruel. Even if they have spacious enclosures and plenty of food, this will not replace life in freedom. Do you agree with this or not? Why?
  • Can Internet piracy (movie and music downloads) be equated with shoplifting?
  • Iceland recently passed a law according to which all residents of the country from the age of 18 become organ donors by default (but you can write a refusal). Would you like to have such a law in our country?
  • Do you think artificial intelligence can destroy humanity in the future?
  • What common idea could unite people on the planet?

What questions seemed to you the most difficult and interesting, made you think?

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Bright Side/Psychology/80 questions that will turn a dull conversation into an exciting conversation

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48 questions to help you make awkward conversations easier times

, because you just need to say something? This usually happens when you are forced to wait for something, for example, while waiting for a very slow moving elevator in the company of your own colleagues or casual acquaintances during various events. To make boring conversations like this more interesting, it is worth asking people unexpected questions that make them think, and which cannot be simply answered with “yes” or “no”.

The result is likely to be amazing: you will learn a lot of interesting facts about other people that you would never get out of the usual boring conversation. And, as an added bonus, you will become closer to each other. Sometimes it can be really important!

If you are ready for unconventional actions, look at the list of the most successful questions, which is divided into topics for convenience.

Of course, not every one of these questions is appropriate to talk to every person in every situation, but, nevertheless, this list provides a fairly wide selection to avoid awkward silence.

Work

1. If you weren't working here, what would you most likely be doing now?
2. How did you become ... (job title)?
3. What surprised you the most about this job?
4. What is the most ridiculous task your boss has ever given you?
5. Which would be more preferable for you - to work four days a week for 10 hours or five days for 8?
6. If you had guaranteed success in any position, what would you prefer to do?
7. What was your first job? Did you like her?
8. What is the most valuable professional development advice you have ever received? And which was the worst?

Entertainment

9. Are you reading any interesting book now? I'd like to get some advice. And what about the show?
10. Are there any apps on your phone that you can't live without?
11. If you could only watch one genre of cinema for the rest of your life, which would it be? What about musical preferences?
12. What book that everyone admired did you hate? And vice versa?
13. Do you have any podcast recommendations?
14. What movie have you watched lately that made you cry? How about laughing out loud?
15. Who would you like to be your partner on the reality show Amazing Race? In our realities, you can ask a similar question about programs like Fort Boyard or The Last Hero.
16. Who is your favorite on Instagram? And vice versa? Oh, you don't have Instagram? Why?

Food

17. If you were told that you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
18. What is the strangest dish you have ever tried in your life?
19. What habitual food is the most comfortable for you?
20. Is there any food that you will never eat?
21. Advise what you can easily and without problems take with you to work / study as lunch, but it should not be sandwiches.
22. Where can I eat cheaply here?
23. Does your family have any culinary secrets or traditional recipes?
24. What is your favorite restaurant / cafe that is not very well known to a wide range of people?

Travel

25. Is there a “paradise” place for recreation somewhere nearby?
26. If you could fly anywhere for free, where would you go?
27. What is the coolest road trip you have ever taken?
28. What trip did you take during your last vacation? What were you doing there? What do you remember?
29. What type of vacation do you prefer - active or relaxing somewhere on a cozy beach?
30. What next trip have you already planned?
31. If you could take a day off or have the opportunity to work remotely, where would you go and what would you do?
32. What is your favorite thing to do on the weekends?

Biography

33. Where did you live before? How is that city different from where you live now?
34. What did you want to be when you grew up as a child?
35. Do you have any hidden talents or unexpected hobbies?
36. What did you like to do in elementary school (outside the school curriculum)?
37.

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