Starting a conversation is not easy, especially for shy or introverted people. Not to mention, some people still fear initiating a conversation with strangers, foreigners, bosses, new colleagues, and even long-time friends because they find it very difficult to start a casual chat. However, all these difficulties can be overcome by practicing the right skills and these 140 conversation topics.
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5 Practical Tips to Start a Conversation
1. Keep It Simple
Remember, the goal of conversations is not to boast but to improve communication skills, share information, and listen. If you continue to use big words to impress, you will put pressure on both sides and quickly lead the conversation to a dead end. Instead, stick to basics like asking simple questions, being honest, and being yourself.
2. Start with a Question
Always starting with a question is an extremely useful tip. Asking questions is the simplest and quickest way to touch on topics of interest to the interlocutor. To keep the conversation going, be sure to ask open-ended questions. Yes/no questions can quickly lead to a dead end.
Example:
- Instead of asking: “Do you like your job?” Try “What’s the most interesting thing about your job?”
- Then instead of a yes/no answer, you will have the opportunity to discuss relevant topics.
By asking questions, you also show the other person that you care about them and want to know more about them.
3. Listen Actively
Listen actively instead of trying to predict the answer or thinking about how to respond. When the other person is speaking, pay attention to their facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, and the words they use, which will give you clues on how to continue the conversation. You will have information to decide when to change the topic and when to delve deeper.
4. Show Interest with Eye Contact and Gestures
To avoid an awkward staring situation, you should find a way to establish eye contact appropriately combined with smiling, nodding, and reacting to speakers.
5. Be Honest, Open, and Kind
If your goal is to make the conversation natural and comfortable, this is the best way. After asking questions, you should also share your personal experiences. Of course, you don’t need to reveal your secrets, but sharing something about your life or worldview will create a connection.
For topics that make you uncomfortable, politely refuse.
Example:
- “I feel uncomfortable talking about this. Can we talk about something else?”
If you apply the tips above, conversations will develop naturally, and it will be easier for you to get to know people. Of course, you won’t get along with everyone quickly, but even in that case, you will learn to do something better next time.Conversation Topics – Photo: Freepik
General Conversation Topics
Let’s start with some of the best ways to initiate a conversation. These are simple, gentle topics that are still extremely interesting to everyone.
- Do you listen to any podcasts? What’s your favorite?
- What do you think has been the best movie of the year so far?
- Who was your childhood hero?
- Who was your favorite person in childhood?
- What song can’t you get out of your head right now?
- If you didn’t have the job you have now, what would you be?
- Could you recommend the last romcom you watched? Why or why not?
- Where would you go on vacation if you had no budget?
- What celebrity couple would you like to see reunited?
- Three amazing things about you…
- How has your fashion style changed recently?
- What company perk would you love to have?
- What Netflix/HBO series would you recommend?
- What’s your favorite restaurant here?
- What’s the strangest thing you’ve read lately?
- What are the unique traditions of your company?
- What would you like to become an expert in?
- Tell me four fun facts about yourself.
- In which sport would you like to excel?
- If you had to swap outfits with one person, who would it be?
Deep Conversation Topics
These are topics to start a deep conversation for you.Deep Conversation Topics. Photo: Freepik
- What’s the worst advice you’ve ever heard?
- What are your best ways to deal with stress?
- What’s the best surprise you’ve ever received?
- The most important life lesson you’ve already learned is…
- What do you think about plastic surgery? Does it deserve to be banned?
- What’s your definition of risk?
- What do you do when you feel unmotivated?
- If you could change one thing about your character, what would it be?
- If you could go back in time, would you change anything?
- What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned at work?
- Do you think God exists?
- Which of the two—success or failure—teaches you the most?
- How do you organize yourself every day?
- What has been your biggest success so far? How did it change your life?
- What does “inner beauty” mean to you?
- If you could do something illegal without getting into trouble, what would it be?
- Which lessons from your childhood have most influenced your worldview?
- What’s the biggest challenge you’ve taken on this year? How did you overcome it?
- Can we be too young to love? Why or why not?
- How would your life change if there were no social media?
Funny Conversation Topics
Starting a conversation with strangers with funny stories will help you avoid unnecessary conflicts and make the conversation more lively and comfortable.
- What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
- What’s the worst name you could give your child?
- What’s the funniest text you’ve received?
- What’s the most awkward thing you’ve ever seen happen to someone else?
- What’s a random funny thing that happened to you once on vacation?
- What’s the worst superhero power you can imagine?
- What’s really popular right now, but in 5 years, everyone will look back and be embarrassed by it?
- Where was the most inappropriate place you’ve farted?
- If there was no dress code, how would you dress for work?
- If your personality was represented by food, what would it be?
- What would be much better if you could just change its color?
- What’s the craziest food you want to try?
- What’s the most unusual funeral you can imagine?
- What would be the worst buy-one-get-one-free sale of all time?
- What’s your most useless talent?
- What’s a terrible movie you love?
- What’s the weirdest thing you find attractive in a person?
- What’s not real but you wish was real?
- What’s the weirdest thing in your fridge right now?
- What’s the weirdest thing you’ve seen on Facebook lately?
Mindful Conversation Topics
These are questions that open the door for mindful conversation topics with people. So it’s appropriate when people want to calm all external distractions, take a deep breath, brew a big cup of tea, and get rid of the noise in their minds.
- Are you really enjoying your life?
- What do you think about the most?
- In your opinion, how can one become the best version of themselves?
- Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? Who do you talk to on the phone the most?
- What do you always love to do, even when you’re tired? Why?
- If a relationship or job made you unhappy, would you stay or leave?
- What scares you about leaving a bad job or bad relationship?
- What have you done that makes you the most proud of yourself?
- What legacy do you want to leave behind?
- If you had only one wish, what would it be?
- How comfortable are you with death?
- What’s your highest core value?
- What role does gratitude play in your life?
- How do you feel about your parents?
- What do you think about money?
- How do you feel about aging?
- What role does formal education play in your life? And how do you feel about it?
- Do you think your destiny is predetermined or do you decide for yourself?
- What do you think gives meaning to your life?
- How confident are you in your decision-making abilities?
