It's the social situation we all dread: You're at a gathering, doing your best to mingle, and you say hello to someone you don't know. You introduce yourselves to each other...and then comes the long, awkward pause. Neither one of you has a clue what the heck to say next. This is where a good conversation starter can come to the rescue. In fact, you might even want to stock up on a few. After all, whether you're chilling at a neighbor's backyard barbecue, networking at a business event, or hanging out at a family picnic, chances are good you're going to have to make small talk with someone at some point.
Although chit-chatting can be a tough proposition for many of us (especially introverts—we feel your pain!), it doesn't have to be, thanks to the following icebreakers. From super simple convo starters like "What's your favorite hobby?" to funny ones, such as "What's your best dance move?" these queries could help kick off an engaging, lively discussion or maybe even a heart-to-heart. Which—hey, you never know—just might end up blossoming into a new friendship, work partnership, or romantic relationship. Looking for more ways to get and keep the conversation going? Check out our Hilariously Funny Jokes to Make You Friends and Family Laugh.
Simple Conversation Starters
- What's the number one item on your bucket list?
- What's the best book you've ever read?
- If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
- What's your go-to comfort food?
- What pet peeve drives you the craziest?
- What's the last movie you saw in a theater?
- What website is your biggest time suck?
- What's your favorite hobby?
- If you could travel through time, what time period would you visit?
- What's the best concert you've seen?
- Do you root for any particular sports teams?
- What's the worst job you've had?
- Which do you like the most: dogs or cats?
- Are you a morning person or do you like to stay up late?
- What five albums would you take to a desert island?
- What would you do with the money if you won the lottery?
- Do you like your job?
- Have you ever met anyone famous?
- How did you and your partner meet?
- What apps do you use the most?
Deep Conversation Starters
- Who is your biggest role model?
- What's your best memory from childhood?
- Where do you want to be in 10 years?
- What's your definition of success?
- What's your personal motto?
- What one day would you choose to live over in your life?
- What advice you would give to your 18-year-old self?
- Is there a lesson that you had to learn the hard way?
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
- What's your best quality?
- What would you most like change about yourself if you could?
- Who is the most important person to you?
- What are people surprised to learn about you?
- What's the most difficult thing you've ever done?
- What is your proudest accomplishment?
- Do you have any regrets?
- When are you happiest?
- What are you most afraid of?
- What's an opinion you've had that has changed over time?
- Where do you find inspiration?
Funny Conversation Starters
- When was the last time you laughed so hard you almost wet yourself?
- What's your favorite song to sing in the shower?
- If you could have one super power what would it be?
- What's the worst pick-up line you've ever heard?
- What's the best joke you know?
- If you worked in a circus, what would your job be?
- What's your best dance move?
- What was your most embarrassing moment?
- What's your strangest quirk?
- If you could trade lives with any celeb, who would it be?
- What's the oddest food in your fridge?
- Do you think aliens exist on other planets?
- What's your weirdest guilty pleasure?
- What's movie scene never fails to make you laugh out loud?
- What's the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?
- If you could make up a holiday, what would it celebrate?
- Do you have a hidden talent?
- What's the silliest thing you've ever Googled?
- What old person habits do you have?
- What would the title of your memoir be?
Networking Conversation Starters
- What's your professional goal for this year?
- Why did you choose this career?
- What's one thing you learned this month?
- What was your first job?
- Do you listen to anything while you work?
- What big challenge have you faced recently?
- How do you relax after work?
- What do you love best about your job?
- Do you have a career role model?
- If you could work remotely from anywhere, where would that be?
- What part of your job do you wish you could automate?
- What are you most excited about that's coming in the next quarter?
- Where is the best place you've ever traveled to for work?
- Have you tried out a standing desk?
- What's the goofiest thing you've ever heard said in a meeting?
- Any big plans for the weekend?
- What project are you working on?
- If you could work in a different department for a day, what would you do?
- What do you think is the most important skill to have in your job?
- What would you be doing now if you weren't in this profession?
Dating Conversation Starters
- What qualities do you look for in a partner?
- What would I never guess about you?
- Which fictional character would you love to date?
- What's your favorite thing about a first date?
- Are you more of an extrovert, or an introvert?
- What's your biggest turn-on?
- What three words would you use to describe yourself?
- What's the worst date you've ever been on?
- If you had a theme song, what would it be?
- Who was your first kiss?
- What's your perfect day?
- If money weren't an issue, what would you do with your life?
- What is the strangest thing that you find attractive in a person?
- Do you believe in love at first sight?
- What was it about me that attracted your interest?
- What are deal breakers for you?
- What takes your breath away?
- If you took me on a tour of your hometown, where would we go?
- How do you picture your life in ten years?
- What's your love language?
Jill Gleeson is a travel journalist and memoirist based in the Appalachian Mountains of western Pennsylvania who has written for websites and publications including Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Country Living, Washingtonian, Gothamist, Canadian Traveller, and EDGE Media Network. Jill is the travel editor for Enchanted Living. Learn more about her journey at gleesonreboots.com.
