100+ Best Conversation Starters to Break the Ice

What’s so important about having and using the best conversation starters out there?

Well, communication with other people is part of our DNA and also plays a strong role in our well-being. While it can be daunting for most as we tend to dread small talk regardless of where we are, it can be resolved. 

In other words, using the best conversation starters makes you and the person feel at ease and invited to talk. It doesn’t matter how long or short the conversation goes; what matters most is setting a good impression and making the person feel seen while also enhancing your social skills.

Plus, using any of the best conversation starters over here help break the ice right away. That way, any bouts of awkwardness would disappear. But also, this blog article from Harvard adds that to be a great communicator, you must also watch your tone and be more aware of non-verbal language.

In this guide, we’ll delve into the best conversation starters for various life situations that prep you and rid you of any nerves beforehand.

1 For people meeting for the first time

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. Are you having a good time?
3. What brings you here?
4. How do you know [name of mutual friend]?
5. What’s your current job/major at university?
6. What drew you to your current job/major?
7. Where did you get your top/jeans/shoes? I really like them.
8. You style your hair so well!
9. Are you an early bird or a night owl? Or maybe somewhere in between?
10. It’s quite chilly/warm in here.
11. Tell me 3 fun facts about yourself.
12. What fun things would you recommend doing while I’m in town?
13. Do you have any pets?
14. Are you a dog or a cat person?
15. [Mutual friend] told me that you’re into [mutual hobby].
16. What activities count as fun for you?
17. Did you drive or take a cab to come here?
18. Do you know anyone else here?
19. Oh, I love the vibe here. What do you like about this place so far?
20. Do you have a favorite season?
21. Do you have a nickname?
22. Do you have a hidden talent?

2 For people reuniting or catching up

1. What’s your latest gala?
2. Who was that person/thing in your story/picture?
3. What have you been up to lately?
4. Have you caught up with anyone else?
5. Is there anything you can recommend to me? Are there any fun things or hobbies to try doing?
6. Can we try this [any task or hobby] together next time?
7. How long are you gonna be in town?
8. I’ve missed you! It’s been so long.
9. How different are we now from the last time we saw and spoke with each other?
10. *Hug* It’s good to see you.

3 For those texting

1. A picture of a recently popular meme
2. A picture of a meme that matches both your senses of humor
3. Are you free this weekend?
4. Send me your funniest photos!
5. Running out of song/resto/show/recos, can you send some ideas?
6. Bestie, how did *context* go? [aligned with something else that both of you have spoken about before]
7. *Random picture/video* I saw this, and it reminded me of you.
8. *Random picture/video* We need to do this the next time we see each other!
9. *Story/visual content* What’s your opinion on this?
10. *Story/visual content* Should I do this or not?
11. Have you heard about *context*?
12. Okay so I overhead that from this person that *context*…

4 For those on a first date

1. What’s your love language?
2. What counts as the bare minimum in a relationship?
3. What are your relationship deal-breakers?
4. What standards do you list as non-negotiables?
5. What is the most attractive quality a potential partner can have?
6. What turns you on?
7. What turns you off?
8. Are you a caller or a texter?
9. Have you ever been in love?
10. What was your first kiss like?
11. Do you prefer to stay in or go out?
12. What are you passionate about?
13. Describe the worst date you’ve ever been on.
14. Tell me one thing that’s on your bucket list.
15. What is one important thing I should know about you?
16. What’s your favorite thing about a first date?
17. What kind of relationship are you looking for?
18. What’s one unlikely trait that you’re looking for in a relationship?
19. Do you believe in love at first sight?
20. How do you spend your free time?

5 For those who want to level up professionally or career-wise

1. How do you define success?
2. Are you a fan of networking?
3. What’s something interesting or fun that you learned at work?
4. What has been your favorite project to work on this year?
5. What’s the biggest highlight of your career so far?
6. What was your most challenging project, and how did you accomplish it?
7. What has caused you frustration so far at your job?
8. Do you have a career role model?
9. What made you choose this career?
10. What was your first job?
11. How long have you been doing this career?
12. What inspires you to work every day?
13. How do you stay organized and on top of everything?
14. Have you traveled for work? Where have you gone to then?
15. What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?
16. If you could change something about the industry you’re in right now, what would it be?

6 For those wanting to chat with work colleagues

1. Would you prefer standing or sitting during work?
2. How did you spend your weekend?
3. What are your thoughts on Approach A and B?
4. How about we take our meeting outside?
5. What are some of your highlights of working here so far?
6. Do you want me to grab a coffee for you while I’m out?
7. Can I ask your opinion on this project?
8. What skill are you currently working on?
9. What are your desk must-haves?
10. Do you listen to music while working?
11. What’s the goofiest thing you’ve heard during a meeting?
12. How do you relax and unwind after work?

7 For those who want to have a deep conversation

1. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
2. What’s one thing about you that nobody knows about?
3. Was there ever a moment when you just wished things went differently?
4. How different or similar are you from yourself last year to now?
5. Who inspired you the most in your life so far?
6. What are you proud of right now?
7. What piece of advice would you give your 6-year-old self now?
8. What are you most grateful for right now?
9. If all of your insecurities were gone by tomorrow, what would you do differently with your life?
10. What’s the most generous and loving thing you’ve done for yourself?
11. If everything you wanted was guaranteed, how would you live now?
12. If fear never existed, what would your life be like currently?
13. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
14. What was your childhood like?
15. What calms you down?
16. What is your biggest fear or worry in life?
17. If money were never a problem, what would you be doing right now?
18. When was the last time you felt truly happy?
19. Describe the most recent time you failed at something and how you bounced back from it.
20. What motivates you to keep going?
21. What’s one compliment that really stuck with you?
22. What do you miss the most about being a kid or teenager?
23. Do you have a random core memory (or memories) that you replay in your head occasionally?
24. Do you have any regrets?
25. Is there a lesson that you had to learn the hard way?

8 For any kind of conversation or setting

1. How are you feeling right now?
2. What’s your favorite film/tv show at the moment?
3. Who’s your favorite celebrity right now?
4. Did you hear the news? What are your thoughts on [random topic]?
5. Do you wanna grab a bite first?
6. What superpower do you want to have?
7. Truth or dare?
8. What’s your star sign?
9. What’s your MBTI?
10. Are you a coffee or tea kind of person?
11. What’s your favorite part of the day?
12. What’s the most bizarre thing you’ve ever done?
13. What’s one trend you did and followed that you’re so embarrassed to admit?
14. Have you seen the latest meme? [Quotes it]
15. Give me your best yet cheesiest pickup line.
16. If you could time travel and talk to any historical icon, who would it be, and what would you ask them?
17. If you had three wishes, what would it be?
18. Do you sing in the shower?
19. What’s your favorite cuisine?
20. Would you [activity/dare A] or [activity/dare B]?
21. What song would blast in your car the moment you start driving?
22. What’s your most embarrassing moment?
23. When was the last time you laughed with tears in your eyes?
24. What pet peeve annoys the heck out of you?
25. What’s the best concert you’ve been to?

Takeaway

And that’s a wrap on our rather lengthy guide on Best Conversation Starters 101! We hope some of these ideas sparked your interest for the next social gathering you find yourself in. Whether or not you like socializing, it’s always great to have some ideas on what to talk about and also lessen any nerves, if there are any. At the same time, you’ll know when to take a breather and enjoy the silence for a bit before conversing again. It’s truly just about balance.

Other than that, we wish you good luck and lots of fun upon using the best conversation starters above during your upcoming social gatherings, offline and even online!

For more culture-related guides such as this one, head on over to the Lauvblog here.