ECCP trains couples over the course of a nine-module series. There was no control group, but over the course of the five-week training, couples showed significant improvement on these two outcome measures. It shows that we’re friendly.7 You can find more conversation openers in this large list of small talk questions. These topics to talk about are great for getting to know someone better. They are great for when you’ve gone past the friendly introductory small talk and feel like you’ve made connection with the person. Under each topic are a few sample questions to get you started and to help you think of other questions.
Conversation Tips
If you ever feel sexually coerced by a partner, or forced to have sex or be touched in a way you don’t want to, know that your healthcare providers are always ready to help you. If you have a relationship where you and you partner have chosen to not use or to stop using condoms or other barrier methods, you should start another conversation about birth control. Sean M. Horan, a Texas State University professor, focuses on communication between intimate partners. He suggests basing conversations about sexual health on affection. Discussing your health with people you’re going to be sexually intimate with can be awkward.
Intentional conversations open the door to sharing ideas, exploring perspectives, and strengthening relationships in a way that feels authentic. Small talk questions are great conversation starters to build trust and rapport with someone new. They help you quickly learn about someone and discover shared interests, often leading to deeper, more meaningful conversations. With any luck, these networking conversation starter questions will help you build meaningful connections and mutually beneficial relationships with the people you meet at work events.
In a 2017 study by Brooks and her colleagues, people who asked more questions in a 15-minute conversation were better liked by their conversation partners. In other research of 30-minute conversations online, more people thought they had discussed too few topics rather than too many—20% vs. 11%. Any hesitancy that we feel in the moment about changing the subject may be misguided. However, steer away from job, career, or industry-related questions. Since you’re at a social event, less serious subjects are far more appropriate (and fun).
Partners
These light conversations act as gateways to deeper connections, helping us build rapport with others. Instead of just discussing the weather, small talk topics can be great conversation starters. Use conversations with new people as practice for improving your skills. The ECCP intervention was focused on married couples, but its principles can be translated to a variety of less intense situations. Let’s say you’re seated next to someone you’ve never met at a dinner for supporters of a local cause. The chances are good that you already have things in common, so make it your goal to find out what they are, and let the conversation evolve around these solid talking points.
Don’t treat someone you have a crush on any differently than your other acquaintances and friends. Just practice making normal conversation when you talk to them. In general, it seems that girls make a bit more small talk online, and guys are more to the point — less communication overall, and more interesting or funny links. You can do that by sending memes, interesting links, or songs you know someone might like.
These openers are meant to bridge age gaps, spark meaningful exchanges, and help everyone feel seen and heard, no matter the year they were born. These easy, heartfelt openers help you pick up the conversation where it left off—without the pressure. Whether it’s been a few months or a few years, they’re a great way to break the ice and rediscover your connection.
Small talk questions might seem innocent to bring up with people of different cultures, but that’s not always the case. Small talk varies widely across cultures, and not all topics that Americans find appropriate are received well in other countries. Additionally, some cultures don’t like small talk at all. Small talk questions about love and dating are best used when you know a few things about the person’s love life. For example, you don’t want to ask about their spouse if you don’t know whether they’re married.
- But when you get it right, conversation and connection can spark.
- They are great for when you’ve gone past the friendly introductory small talk and feel like you’ve made connection with the person.
- The questions you’ll ask vary greatly on where you are and what you are doing.
- You can talk to your doctor or a social worker about any concern you have.
Being able to keep the conversation going can certainly build the bonds between you and the people you care about the most. And if you’re trying to have an enjoyable evening with someone you’ve just met, these primers may lead to surprising outcomes that can broaden your fulfillment in unexpected ways. Be careful about making jokes that will be perceived as insensitive.
Engaging in small talk involves asking questions to get to know someone better. This is a soft skill you can practice anywhere with anyone, no matter the length of time you spend with them. You can even use small talk questions to start a conversation online.
The key to a funny conversation starter is to either ask an unexpected question or to ask a question that will elicit an amusing answer. But what should you say to get more than a one-word answer in response? We asked people who excel at small talk to share their favorite conversation-starters.
Read about how these skilled professionals used the knowledge and skills they learned in a Harvard PDP to further their career development. Without that foundation of trust and transparency, even the smallest communication can be misconstrued and lead to misunderstandings and unnecessary conflict. In a positive work environment — one founded on transparency, trust, empathy, and open dialogue — communication in general will be easier and more effective. The corporate culture in which you are communicating also plays a vital role in effective communication.
It often starts with something simple like a question, a shared detail, or a small observation that gives the other person an easy way in. These low-pressure openers are designed to feel natural and approachable and perfect for anyone who prefers calm, one-on-one conversations over being the center of attention. Use them to start a chat without feeling overwhelmed. These creative prompts are great for sparking imagination, laughter, and friendly debates—perfect for breaking the ice or keeping a conversation fun and unpredictable. These thoughtful openers invite more meaningful dialogue—perfect for when the conversation naturally shifts to life, values, experiences, or personal growth. If you want to improve your social skills, self-confidence, and ability to bond, take our 1-minute quiz.
You can use this method whenever you want to start a conversation. You might also use some of these tips to keep the conversation going. You’ll get a 100% free custom report with the areas you need to improve. You can then start the loop again by asking a new sincere question (Inquire).
In case you missed it, an important part of being human is connecting with other humans! But when you inevitably run out of things to say or don’t know where to begin, keeping some good conversation starters handy can be an extra helpful social skill. But building and mastering effective communication skills will make your job easier as a leader, even during difficult conversations. Taking the time to build these skills will certainly be time well-spent.
The person is probably going to like you more than you think and you’re both probably going to enjoy it more than you think. In another study from Dunn and Sandstrom, a group of students were asked to carry around counters and keep count all social interactions over the course of their day. Having more social interactions led the students to report greater levels of happiness and wellbeing. Here’s what Sandstrom and others want you to know about how to talk to people you don’t know — and why it can actually do you a lot of good. Research from Fanlyfun guide a group of social psychologists would suggest the answer to all of those questions would be yes.
These conversation topics will take you waaaay past small talk. I got you.Here are 300+ conversation starters and topics for you use in several different social settings. Follow up with thoughtful questions, listen actively, and respond with genuine interest. Avoid rapid-fire questions and instead let the dialogue unfold naturally. Showing that you’re engaged makes the conversation more enjoyable for both sides. These friendly, easy-going openers are perfect for sparking great conversations around the table.
Both small talk and big talk have their place in building deeper connections. Knowing when and how to move from one to the other can make your conversations smoother and more meaningful. Offering or asking for help can be a friendly way to start a conversation.