Conversations are not always easy. Sure, sometimes we click with somebody, and it seems like we could talk for hours without running out of topics, but when we feel that creepy silence followed by an awkward smile, and we just can’t think of a single thing to say, we know that a conversation’s about to end. At that very moment, there’s nothing we’d appreciate more than a bag of good conversation starters so that we could just pick one and never have to experience another second of deadly silence.
Conversation Starters For Any Situation
What made you smile today?
How did you meet the host?
Have you been to an event like this before?
What three words best describe you?
What’d be your perfect weekend?
What’s your favorite way to waste time?
What’s the strangest dream you’ve had recently?
If you could travel back in time, what decade would you choose to live in?
What song do you wish you could put on right now?
Do you listen to any podcasts? Which is your favorite?
Where’s the most beautiful place you have been?
What was the last good book you read?
If you didn’t have the job you have now, what would you be?
What’s something people are always surprised to learn about you?
What’s one thing you can’t live without?
Do you like documentaries? Have you watched any good ones recently?
What sport do you wish you were really good at?
Have you ever been on a blind date?
If you could do anything illegal without getting caught, what would you do?
What’s something you wish you could do every day?
The First Time You Meet Someone
Are you having a good time?
This place is awesome! Have you been here before?
Where did you grow up?
I love that shirt/jacket/dress/shoes. Where did you get it?
Do you know a lot of people here?
What’s your favorite restaurant around here?
Doing anything fun this weekend?
What do you normally do for fun?
If you weren’t here, what would you be doing?
Tell me three fun facts about yourself.
What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
What do you like to do to relax?
What is your favorite holiday?
Do you like to cook?
What’s your favorite food?
What’s your favorite drink?
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
What’s the last thing you do before you go to sleep?
Do you speak any other languages?
Have you ever met anyone famous?
Networking Conversation Starters
So, what brought you here today?
What a beautiful venue. Have you been here before?
How did you hear about this event?
How do you know the host?
What was the first job you ever had?
What made you choose this as your career?
What do you love most about your job?
What’s the most frustrating thing about your job?
Who’s been your career role model?
Do you ever travel for your job? Where have you gone?
Did you catch the game last night?
Your tie, it’s lovely! Where did you get it?
I’d like to introduce myself. I’m [name] from [organization].
You seem to be having a great time. Mind if I join you?
The food looks good. Have you tried any of the dishes?
How long have you lived in [city]?
What’s the most fun project you’ve ever worked on?
I’ve been looking forward to this event for weeks!
Any chance you know a good restaurant around here?
Did you hear about (insert the latest news topic)?
For A Deeper Conversation
What’s your biggest fear?
What’s your biggest regret?
Who is your role model?
What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
What’s the most controversial opinion you have?
What do you think the world will be like 20 years in the future?
What’s the first thing you would do if you won the lottery?
What are the top three things on your bucket list?
What does success mean to you?
What book had a big influence on you?
What’s a miracle that happens every day?
Do people have a right to be happy or should they have to earn it?
When are you the happiest?
What’s one thing you wish you could do that you know you probably never will?
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Tell me about the most life-changing piece of advice you’ve ever heard.
If you could change one thing about your personality, what would it be?
Who’s your hero?
What do you think aliens would actually look/be like?
Conversation Starters On A First Date
How did you spend your day?
Have you ever been here before?
What’s something I wouldn’t guess about you?
What are you most passionate about?
What job did you want to do when you were a kid?
When you were a kid, what did you think your life would look like now?
What’s your dream job?
If you had plenty of money and didn’t have to work anymore, what would you do all day?
What’s something not many people know about you?
Do you have any nicknames?
What’s your favorite place in the entire world?
What kind of books do you like to read?
If you were stranded on an island and could take three things with you, what would they be?
What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
What’s your all-time favorite movie?
What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?
Do you have any hidden talents?
Do you have any pet peeves?
What makes you laugh out loud?
What’s your favorite weekend activity?
Conversation Starters At a Bar
Are you having a good time?
What do you think of this place?
What are you drinking?
Do you like this song?
If you could have them play any song right now, what would it be?
Who are you here with?
Which song would make you dance at this very moment?
Have you ever done karaoke?
I like your shirt, where did you get that?
Are you having a good evening?
Remembering some of these is a fantastic way to avoid having awkward conversations in the future.
