We’ve all been in a situation where we just don’t know what to say.
You’re past the point of needing an ice breaker, and you’re not exactly comfortable enough to whip out the conversation cards, but you still want to connect with someone in a meaningful way. How do you get the ball rolling? What deep questions do you ask?
Please — we beg you — don’t start with the weather.
Whether you’re at a party or work event, spending some time with the people you’re closest to, or meeting someone for the first time (say, on a date), we are confident that there is a meaningful or engaging topic of conversation to embark upon.
To make it easier, we’ve collected some conversation starters that are perfect for kicking off a meaningful visit with nearly anyone.
Conversation Starters That Are Sure To Get the Ball Rolling
For Anyone
- What’s been the best part of your day so far?
- What’s the most interesting thing that’s happened to you this week?
- What song have you had stuck in your head this week?
- How are you really doing?
- Do you collect anything?
- What do you do for a living?
- What do you wish you did for a living?
- Describe your perfect weekend.
- If you weren’t here, where would you be?
- What were you doing before you got here?
- What did you want to be when you grew up?
- Can you speak more than one language?
- What’s your favorite kind of music? Do you have a favorite artist or band?
- Do you prefer to be surrounded by mountains or the ocean? Why?
- What is one thing you can’t live without?
- Who is your favorite celebrity couple?
- What kinds of things are on your to-do list today?
- What’s something that’s made you smile recently?
- What do you do to relax or have fun?
- Tell me more about your work or interests.
- What was the last movie you really enjoyed?
- Is there a song or album you can’t stop listening to these days?
- Do you listen to podcasts? Do you have a favorite?
- Tell me more about your hometown.
- Do you have any hidden talents?
- What does your name mean?
- What’s your favorite comfort food?
- Do you think you’re an introvert or extrovert?
- What is something about you that people are surprised to learn?
- Have you seen that viral video/meme?
- If you could befriend a fictional character, who would it be?
For a Party or Event
- How do you know the host?
- What are you snacking on?
- What are you drinking?
- Have you been to this area before? What are some of your favorite spots nearby?
- What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?
- What did you bring for the host?
- Do you have a favorite party game?
- What’s your go-to dance move when you hit the floor?
- Do you have a specific karaoke song?
- If any celebrity could crash this event, who would you want it to be? Why?
- What’s the weirdest party theme you’ve experienced?
- If you were in charge of planning this event, what would you choose to make it even better?
- If this was a costume party, what would you be wearing?
- What song do you think would get everyone here on their feet?
- Do you have any stand-out memories from birthday parties as a child?
- What else are you getting up to this weekend?
- If you had an unlimited budget, what would your dream party or event include?
- What’s your signature drink or dish to bring to a party?
For Friends
- What’s a skill you’ve always wanted to learn but haven’t yet?
- What goals are you working toward these days?
- What’s one habit you want to get rid of and one habit you want to keep?
- What’s the last thing you bought that you really loved?
- What’s a memory from our friendship that still makes you smile?
- Who do you most admire, and how has that person had an impact on your life?
- Tell me about a time you overcame a really big fear.
- If you could switch lives with me for a day, what’s the first thing you’d do?
- What’s the most meaningful lesson you’ve learned in the last year?
- How have your priorities changed this year?
- What is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?
- What’s the nicest thing you’ve done for anyone?
- What do you think is your most controversial opinion?
- What would you do if you won the lottery?
- If you could go back in time, what one situation would you approach differently?
- What would your younger self be surprised to know about you?
- What is something you’ve been embarrassed about recently?
- When was the last time you cried?
- When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?
- What’s the worst piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?
- Do you sing in the shower?
- What weird conspiracy theory or theories do you believe?
- What trends from our teenage years do you think were the worst?
- What’s cool now that you think will be totally uncool in a few years?
- What always makes you smile when you’re feeling down?
- How is your family doing?
- Have you checked in with any old friends recently?
- What big travel plans do you have for the future?
- If you could change your name, what would you change it to?
- What do you think we’d talk about if social media didn’t exist?
- What recipes have you cooked recently?
- How have you been caring for your mental health?
- What areas of your life do you need more support in these days?
- Are there any areas in your home you want to redecorate or renovate?
- Have you been working on any DIY or personal projects lately?
For Parents
- When did you decide you wanted to be a parent?
- What’s one piece of advice you wish you knew when you were my age?
- What was your favorite toy as a child?
- What are some of your favorite memories of your childhood?
- What are some of your favorite memories of my childhood?
- What do you miss about being my age?
- What do you wish you’d known before having kids?
- What advice do you have for saving money?
- What’s the first big purchase you made as an adult?
- How did you choose my name? Were there any others you were considering?
- How do you envision our relationship evolving as I grow older?
- What are your proudest moments as a parent so far?
- How has parenthood changed you as a person?
- What was the funniest thing I did as a kid that still makes you laugh?
- What’s your favorite family tradition? Why is it special to you?
- What’s the best piece of parenting advice you received from your own parents?
- How has your parenting style evolved since I was born?
- How do you handle disagreements or arguments about parenting decisions?
- What was your favorite book or story you remember reading to me when I was little?
- What do you think was the best kid’s TV show I watched as a child?
- What would you say our family values are?
- What’s your favorite family dish we eat together?
- What’s the most important lesson you want me to carry into the rest of my life?
For Siblings
- Looking back on our childhood, what do you think is your happiest memory?
- What good traits have you inherited from our parents?
- What not-so-good traits have you inherited from our parents?
- What do you think everyone in the family will be doing 10 years from now?
- Do you think we should start any new traditions when we have our own families? Like what?
- What food, scent, or feeling reminds you most of home?
- What’s the best inside joke we have?
- Who do you think is the funniest member of our extended family?
- What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received from me?
- How do you think we’ve influenced each other over the years?
- How do you want our relationship to continue to evolve?
- What habit or characteristic about me do you think is most annoying… or endearing?
- What’s something you appreciate about our relationship that others might not understand?
- If our lives were a sitcom, what would be the title of our show?
- Let’s describe each other in three words.
- If we could go back in time to relive one family holiday, which would you pick? Why?
- What’s something you’ve learned from me that you didn’t expect?
- If we were a team in a trivia contest, what category do you think we’d dominate?
- Do you have a favorite childhood photo of us together?
- What is the best lesson you’ve learned from our parents?
- If you were to change one thing about our childhoods, what would it be?
For a Date
- What do you wish people better understood about you?
- What do you want most out of a relationship?
- How do you like to be supported in difficult times?
- What do you like to do in your alone time?
- What kinds of activities do you think we’d be good at together?
- Who in your life brings you the most joy?
- What’s your biggest pet peeve?
- What is your biggest hot take?
- Where is your favorite place you’ve ever traveled?
- If you could achieve anything by the end of this year, what would it be?
- What are your biggest values in life, and how do you practice them day-to-day?
- What was the last concert you went to?
- What hobby do you wish you had more time for?
- Do you believe in astrology? What’s your sign?
- If your life had a soundtrack, what would be the top three songs?
- Have you ever heard of love languages? Do you know what yours is?
- What’s something you learned from your most recent relationship?
- Do you prefer spontaneous adventures or being cozy at home?
- What do you think is important for a healthy and successful relationship?
- How do you usually resolve disagreements or conflict?
- Describe your ideal date night. Money is no object!
- How would you describe your sense of humor?
- What makes you feel loved and appreciated?
- What is your favorite [Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, etc.] song? Why?
- What is your favorite holiday? Do you have any special memories attached to it?
- What compliment do you receive most often? Is it easy for you to accept?
- What is your favorite thing about yourself?
- What attracted you to me?
- Do you have pets? Tell me about them! (Bonus points for pictures)
- What are your biggest fears?
- Do you have any nicknames?
- Tell me about the worst pickup line you’ve ever gotten.
For Kids
- What is your favorite animal?
- Do you have any siblings?
- What subject is the most fun to learn about in school?
- What do you do when you get home from school?
- What’s something interesting you learned recently?
- What food would you eat every day if you could?
- What’s your favorite color?
- Who are your best friends?
- How old are you turning this year?
- What kinds of projects have you been working on in school?
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
- Do you have any pets? What are they like?
- If you could decorate your room in any way, what would it look like?
- Who is your favorite TV show or video game character? Why?
- What’s your favorite outfit to wear?
- Who is your teacher? What are they like?
- What’s your favorite game to play?
- What’s your favorite thing about your parents?
- What food is your least favorite?
- What is your favorite thing to do at recess or playtime?
- What’s the best bedtime story?
- If you were a superhero, what powers would you want to have?
- Do you know any knock-knock jokes?
- Do you have any special talents?
- If you had a spaceship, where would you travel in the universe?
- How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
- If you could have a dinosaur as a pet, what kind would you choose?
- Who is your favorite Disney character?
- If you could have a robot do one chore for you, what would it be?
- What’s the best ice cream flavor in the world?
- What’s the best present you’ve ever been given?
- What’s your favorite school lunch?
- What did you have as a snack today?
For Coworkers or Networking
- What led you to choose this as your career?
- What professional accomplishments are you proudest of?
- What was your first job? How did it lead to where you are today?
- What inspires you to do your best work?
- What is most fulfilling about your work?
- What do you think makes someone a good manager or leader?
- What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on this year?
- How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?
- What do you look for in a collaborator or teammate?
- What do you think are the biggest challenges facing your industry right now?
- Do you work remotely or in-person with your colleagues?
- Are there any interesting skills you’d like to learn that would make your job easier or more fun?
- What kind of workplace practices make for a healthy and engaging atmosphere? How do you wish your workplace would implement some?
- Are you working on any personal passion projects these days?
- How do you define success for yourself?
- What are your best time management tips?
- Do you consider yourself organized and strategic, or are you more of a free, creative thinker?
- Have you had any mentors that have significantly impacted your career?
- How do your company or organization values reflect your personal values?
- Who is someone in your industry or professional world that you look up to?
- How do you stay motivated during dull or mundane parts of your job?
- What is the best thing about your job?
- What is the most challenging thing about your job?
