You never know when you'll be called on to kick off a conversation. Whether your boss decides to organize an in-person gathering for the virtual team or you're heading into a party packed with folks you don't know, it's always best to arrive armed with some conversational ammo. Unfortunately, it's also easy to plow through those reserves, leaving you with little to say and nothing left to go on. To spare you the misfortune, we've put together an original list of conversation starters that you can use with friends, co-workers, and even total strangers. Read on to get started!
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4 Tips for Finding a Great Conversation Starter
Not all conversations are created equal. Some require a little more mindfulness while others afford us the ability to be open and carefree. Below, you'll find a few tips not just for kicking off the conversation but setting yourself up for success throughout.
1. Consider your audience.
This goes without saying, but talking to your best friend is not like talking to your boss. Certain questions will always be off-limits, no matter how desperate you are to get the conversation started. Standard small talk may seem trivial, but it's a much safer bet than throwing around more personal questions at work or other types of networking events. Save that kind of material for when you're at home and with your friends.
2. Pay attention to non-verbal cues.
A lot of conversation tips revolve around what to say, but it's just as important to clock those non-verbal cues taking place. If a certain subject causes someone to start fidgeting, cross their arms, or start moving farther away, chances are they're uncomfortable with what's being discussed. Someone who is engaged in a conversation will typically welcome it with a big smile and open arms—literally.
3. Don't go too outside of the box.
A good conversation doesn't just materialize out of thin air. It's important to find some kind of common ground before diving in—especially if you're trying to do so in a more formal setting. If you're in the office, maybe start by asking about the closest place to get a good cup of coffee. You might find that to go a bit further than asking everyone about their favorite cartoon character or if they've ever been scuba diving.
4. Think of ways to keep the conversation flowing.
While ice-breakers are allowed to be short and sweet, conversation starters should really cater toward more lengthy exchanges. Try to introduce subjects associated with easy and obvious follow-up questions. Or, if you're hoping for a more casual flow, try throwing some open-ended questions into the mix.
If you don't know where to start, think about ways you can appeal to their interests. Use what you already know about them to get them talking. It's not true of everyone you'll encounter, but typically, people can go on for quite some time when talking about themselves.
Wrapping Up
That's it for our list of conversation starters, but be sure to check back in with us soon for more fun life advice! You can also sign up for our newsletter to enjoy similar kinds of content, as well as hit pieces on health, entertainment, and travel.
