30 Good Conversation Starters: What to Say When You Don’t Know What To Talk About
It may seem like a daunting task to come up with conversation starters when you’re at a loss for words. Thankfully, there are many topics that can start an interesting discussion. It’s not hard to find the perfect way to get someone talking about their passions and favorite things. People love to talk about themselves! Today I’m sharing 30 good conversation starters that you can use the next time you can’t think of what to say.
Also, be sure to download my free printable 30 Good Conversation Starters cheat sheet at the bottom of the post!
It’s really hard to figure out what to say when you find yourself in a social situation and don’t know what else to talk about. It’s even harder when you’re trying not to sound boring or you’re trying to avoid that awkward silence that comes when you have no idea what to say. And sometimes it can feel like the pressure is on!
The good news is that there are plenty of good conversation starters available for those times when you need them most. In this blog post, we’ll go over 30 great questions that will help get your brain going again so you never have an awkward silence again!
“To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!” Proverbs 15:23
I have always been a shy, quiet, introvert. My entire life has been a battle of wanting to make friends and just being incredibly shy. When I became a pastor’s wife, I had to learn pretty how to quickly to talk to people I didn’t know or didn’t know very well.
So, just know, even if you’re shy like me, you can learn and practice skills that will help you be better at conversations.
A Few Tips for Starting a New Conversation
#1 Make Eye Contact.
Making eye contact with the person you are speaking to is so important! Eye contact demonstrates that you are interested in what they have to say and it also lets the person know that you want to continue talking with them.
If you’re in a situation where you don’t know the person you are talking to and you want to engage with them, then offer them a compliment. You can say something like, “I love your bag!” or “Your hair looks great today”. It will get the person talking and give you more topics to discuss with them.
Anytime you can give someone a compliment, do so! You never know how one small compliment can change someone’s entire day.
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Proverbs 16:24
Starting a conversation or keeping a conversation going can feel hard sometimes. Or at least it can for folks like me who are more quiet and reserved in nature. Having a few questions ready to go or having a few good conversation starters in mind before you need them can really help you keep that awkward silence at bay.
#2 Keep It Light
A few things to remember whenever talking to someone you don’t know really well or if you are, say at a church social, or in an unfamiliar situation are:
– Keep it light – don’t bring up any heavy topics right away (i.e., politics)
– Be interested in the other person and ask them questions about themselves, their family, where they grew up, etc.
– Ask what’s going on with that person lately – is there anything new?
Being interested in the other person and being willing to listen can go a long way toward having a good conversation!
David and Daniel over at Social Pro Now say, “You don’t need to ask a deep or meaningful question. What you actually ask isn’t important. You don’t have to try to come off as unique or smart in your first interaction. The best conversation starters are usually simple.”
That’s great advice!
#3 Listen More than You Speak
Listen more than you speak, but if you do have something to contribute, make sure it’s relevant and not too personal (i.e., don’t tell someone about your recent breakup)
Listening is a valuable skill to have. Being willing to ask questions and listen thoughtfully shows that you are engaged in the conversation and care about what the other person is saying.
Listening requires an open mind, a willingness to be vulnerable, and being able to speak without judgment.
#4 Be Genuine
Whenever you are hoping to have a good conversation, be yourself! It’s easy to tell when people are trying too hard to impress or fake their way through a conversation so just be true and genuine. And as Christians, we want to be genuine and real with the people in our lives.
Be interested in the person you’re talking with – it’s important not only to share your own interests but also to show interest in what they like!
And one final tip for having a good conversation in the effort of building a relationship: asking questions helps you find common ground with the person you are getting to know. And it’s that common ground where friendships can be built.
I hope you enjoy this list of 30 good conversation starters. Conversation starters can be super handy in those early days of a relationship! Memorizing a few good conversation starters is a good idea!
30 Good Conversation Starters
1. What’s your favorite movie and why?
2. What are you reading right now?
3. Do you have any pets, and if so what kind of pet do you have?
4. If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be?
5. What is your favorite food to cook?
6. How did you become a Christian?
7. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
8. What are some of the best memories from your childhood?
9. Do you think that people should get a second chance after they’ve done something wrong?
10. What’s one thing that makes you happy every day?
11. What are your thoughts on the latest season of _____ (fill in the blank)?
12. Have you ever been to a concert before
13. What’s your favorite type of food?
14. Do you have any pets at home?
16. Who is your favorite musician or band right now?
17. What are you most looking forward to in the next few months?
18. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
19. If you could go back in time, what year would you visit?
20. Who is your favorite musician or band of all time and why?
21. What’s your favorite Bible verse?
22. Which is your favorite season of the year and why?
23. What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of work?
24. What’s something that you’re really good at doing ____ (fill in the blank)?
25. How do you like to spend time with friends on a Saturday night ____ (fill in the blank)?
26. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the last year?
27. Who was your childhood hero and why?
28. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
29. Have you traveled outside of your country before and if so, which one(s)?
30. What was one of the best moments of your life so far?
I hope this list of good conversation starters has given you some ideas for how to start a chat with your friends, neighbors, church members, or co-workers – really anyone!!
If I missed any great questions that have worked well for you in the past, please let me know in the comments below!
Action Steps to Take Today
- Pray and ask God to help you improve your conversation skills. Being able to engage in a good conversation is an important skill for Christians to have!
- Practice questions in the list of good conversation starters above to help you overcome nervousness when you meet someone new in the future.
- Download my free printable 30 Good Conversation Starters below, if desired, to help you practice asking questions and listening.
Free Printable Good Conversation Starters
How to Download
- Just fill out the form below and you’ll receive an email giving you instant access to my free printable Good Conversation Starters that has 30 ideas.
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