How to Come Up with Good Conversation Topics

Co-authored by Lynda Jean

Last Updated: July 2, 2024 Approved

Even if you're good with people, there are likely times when you're stuck for something more to say and start wondering what topic to bring up next. To come up with good conversation topics, you should prepare a mental list of ideas beforehand so that you can seamlessly pull up one idea and continue on with your chat. Form conversation around the other person, tailoring the topic based on how well you know them, and give the other person equal opportunity to steer the conversation in other directions.

Part 1

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Great Conversation Starters

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1
Ask the other person questions about themselves.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Lynda Jean
Certified Image Consultant

Expert Interview. 17 November 2020.} The biggest secret to being a good conversationalist is simply allowing other people to talk about themselves. ^{[2]
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Research source} Why? It's a subject they are familiar with and that they probably feel comfortable discussing. To start, try these tactics:
- Ask for their opinion. You could tie it to what's currently happening in the room, current events, or whatever else you may want to discuss.
- Delve into "life story" topics. Ask where your conversation partner is from, how they grew up, and so on.
2
Have a few different starters for people you know to different degrees. The kinds of questions you will ask someone depend on how well, or whether, you know them. Here are some openers for two other types of people you'll converse with:
- People you know well: ask them how they are, whether anything interesting has happened this past week, how their project or study is coming along, how their children are and whether they've seen any good TV shows or movies lately.
- People you know but haven't seen for a while: ask them what has happened in their life since you last saw them, find out if they're still working in the same job and living in the same area, ask about their children and whether they've had more (if relevant); perhaps ask if they've seen a mutual friend lately.
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You know the old rule: never talk about religion, politics, money, relationships, family problems, health problems, or sex with people you don't know incredibly well.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Lynda Jean
Certified Image Consultant

Expert Interview. 17 November 2020.} The risk of saying something offensive is too high, so just stay clear; these are often emotional charged issues as well^{[4]
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Research source}.
4
Discuss interests and hobbies. People are complex, with different interests, hobbies, likes and dislikes. Discussing your interests and hobbies with other people, and inquiring about theirs is a great way to start and continue a conversation. This is because it is a way to engage in conversation without discussing things such as religion, politics, money, relationships, family problems, health problems, or sex. These topics could make the person you are talking to uncomfortable and may leave them with a bad first impression with you as these are sensitive and controversial topics. Questions you could ask include:
- Do you play or follow any sports?
- Do you like to hang out online?
- What do you like to read?
- What do you do in your spare time?
- What kind of music do you like?
- What kinds of movies do you like to watch?
- What are your favorite TV shows?
- What's your favorite board game or card game?
- Do you like animals? What's your favorite animal?
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Bring up family. Your safest bet here is siblings and general background information (such as where they grew up). Be sure to respond enthusiastically to encourage them to share more information.^{[5]
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Research source} Parents can be a touchy subject for people who had troubled upbringings, have estranged parents or whose parents have recently passed away. The topic of children can be uncomfortable for couples who are having fertility issues or disagreements about whether to have children, or for a person who wants to have kids but hasn't found the right person or situation. Some questions you might ask include:
- Do you have any siblings?
- How many?
- What are their names?
- How old are they?
- What do your siblings do? (Modify the question based on how old they are. Do they go to school/college or have a job?)
- Do you look alike?
- Do you all have similar personalities?
- Where did you grow up?
- (If they have no siblings) What was it like being an only child?
6
Ask about past travel adventures. Ask your conversation partner where he's been. Even if they have never left their hometown, they will likely be happy to talk about where they would want to go. Specifically, you could ask:
- If you had a chance to move to any other country, which one would it be and why?
- Of all the cities in the world you've visited, which one was your favorite?
- Where did you go on your last vacation? How did you like it?
- What was the best/worst vacation or trip you've ever been on?
7
Inquire about food and drink. Food is a little better to talk about because there's always the chance of bumping into someone who has had issues with alcohol abuse or doesn't drink. Be careful that the conversation doesn't stray into someone going on about their diet or how they're trying to lose weight. That can take the conversation in a negative direction. You might instead ask:
- If you could only have one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
- Where do you like to go when you eat out?
- Do you like to cook?
- What's your favorite kind of candy?
- What's the worst restaurant experience you've ever had?
8
Ask about work. This one can be a little tricky because the conversation could end up sounding like a job interview. Still, if you can handle it carefully and keep it short and sweet, it can lead to an interesting discussion. And don't forget that the person may be studying, retired or "between jobs". Here are some suggested starters:
- What do you do for a living? Where do you work (or study)?
- What was your first job ever?
- Who was your favorite boss in the past?
- When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
- What do you like best about your job?
- If money was no object, but you still had to work, what would be your dream job?
9
Find out why you are both in the same place.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Lynda Jean
Certified Image Consultant

Expert Interview. 17 November 2020.} If you've never met them before, there are plenty of unknowns to explore just surrounding why you're both at the same event. Ask such questions as:
- So, how do you know the host?
- How did you get involved in this event? (Or, when relevant) In fundraising? In triathlons?
- How do you find the time to be involved in events like this?
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Offer a genuine compliment. Try to make it a compliment that involves something they did rather than something they are. This will allow you to carry the conversation forward by asking them about that skill. If you tell your conversation partner that they have beautiful eyes, they will thank you and the conversation will likely end there. Be sure to remain enthusiastic when you give a compliment so that you come across as sincere. Here are some good lines to use:
- I loved your piano performance. How long have you been playing for?
- You seemed really confident during your speech. How did you learn to put together such great presentations?
- Your run was absolutely amazing. How often do you train each week?

Part 2

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Extending the Conversation

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1
Keep it light. You can't expect miracles to take place in the initial interactions with someone. All you can hope for is an initial rapport to be created. Your best chance at this is to stick to topics that are interesting and entertaining to talk about; it can help to interject some light humor into the conversation as well. ^{[7]
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Research source}
- Avoid talking about problems in your life or other negative situations. If you've experienced people's eyes glazing over when such topics are raised, it's simply because few people expect to have to deal with heavy situations or problems in a casual, conversational context.
- Most people are looking for polite, interesting, and lighthearted topics to discuss and a negative insertion can really put a blight on the moment, bringing to a halt any further conversation.
2
Allow for silence. Silence doesn't have to be awkward — it allows you to gather an opinion on the other person or to think up conversation topics they would enjoy. It gives both of you a breather and a moment of refined pause. ^{[8]
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- Silence can become awkward, however, if you get nervous or try to cover up the silence because you're worried about it.
3
Share common interests. If you find that you both like running, for example, spend more time talking about this shared interest. However, do be aware that you will eventually have to move on from the topic at a certain point. A 45-minute conversation about running would be awkward for most people. ^{[9]
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Research source}
- Discuss others who share your interest and their achievements. For example, you might both know the marathon winner from last season and one of you might be able to expand on what this person has been up to since winning.
- Talk about new gear, new equipment, new insights, new tactics, etc. to do with your shared interest.
- Suggest new things that you could both try in your shared interest, perhaps even making a date to catch up and try something new together.

Part 3

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Taking the Conversation to the Next Level

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1
Spark a new direction with hypotheticals. This may feel foreign at first, but give it a go and see just how the conversation opens up dramatically. Here are some thought-provoking questions to inspire more conversation:
- Given all you have accomplished so far, what do you think has been the most important to you/beneficial to your community?
- If you could be rich, famous, or influential, which would you choose and why?
- Is this the best time of your life?
- If you could only own 10 things, what would they be?
- If you had to choose only five foods and two drinks for the rest of your life, what would they be?
- Do you believe people make happiness or stumble across it?
- What would you do if you could wear an invisibility cloak?
- Do you believe in free will?
- What sort of animal do you think you would be if someone could change you into one?
- Who is your favorite superhero and why?
- Which five people out of all history would you choose to invite to an intimate dinner party at your house?
- If you won a few million in the lottery tomorrow, how would you spend it?
- If you could be famous for a week, what would you be known for? (Or which celebrity would you choose to be?)
- Do you still believe in Santa?
- Could you live without the internet?
- What's your dream vacation?
2
Keep a note of what gets good responses in your conversations. Return to these "winning" conversation tactics time and time again as long as they continue to work for you.
- Equally, remember the topics that seem to make people feel uncomfortable or bored and avoid these in the future.
3
Read up on current events.^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Lynda Jean
Certified Image Consultant

Expert Interview. 17 November 2020.} Dig around into what's going on in the world and try asking your conversation partner their thoughts about the latest big incident in the news (remember though, in most cases it is best to avoid politics).^{[11]
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Research source}
- Keep in mind funny new stories that could get you a laugh as well as remind your conversation partner of funny news stories they have read recently.
4
Practice conciseness. Coming up with good conversation topics is part of what makes for good conversation, but how you convey the topics of conversation that you do come up with matters also.^{[12]
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Research source} Be sure to get to the point of the topic without meandering about aimlessly.
- Try to not digress into tangents as you are bringing up a conversation topic or you risk losing your conversation partner's attention!

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How can I talk to someone when I have nothing to say?

Lynda Jean
Social & Communications Consultant
Lynda Jean is an Image Consultant and the Owner of Lynda Jean Image Consulting. With over 15 years of experience, Lynda specializes in color and body/style analysis, wardrobe audits, personal shopping, social and professional etiquette, and personal and business branding. She works with clients to enhance their image, self-esteem, behavior, and communication to facilitate their social and career goals. Lynda holds Bachelor degrees in Sociology and Social Work, a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work, and a Certified Image Consultant (CIC) certification. She studied Image Consulting at the International Image Institute and the International Academy of Fashion and Technology in Toronto, Canada. Lynda has taught Image Consulting courses at George Brown College in Toronto, Canada. She is the co-author of the book, “Business Success With Ease,” where she shares her knowledge about, ‘The Power of Professional Etiquette.’

Lynda Jean

Social & Communications Consultant

Expert Answer

Break the ice by asking them about something related to what you're currently doing. Then, listen closely to what they say and ask more questions to keep the conversation going.

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Is it normal to get nervous talking to a cute girl?

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Of course. Remember that she is probably nervous too. Be yourself and if she doesn't care or like you, find another girl.

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How can I have a good conversation with someone on the phone that I don't know?

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Ask the person about himself. Most people like to talk about themselves.

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Remember: smiling and making good contact will go a long way!^{[13]
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Expert Source

Lynda Jean
Certified Image Consultant

Expert Interview. 17 November 2020.}

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Don't just mindlessly work through the list of questions mentioned above. It will make the other person feel interrogated.

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Listening closely to others' answers to your questions might open up other related conversation topics.

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