275 Good Conversation Starters That Lead To Genuine Friendship

When it’s hard to think of interesting things to say in social situations, you need a few good conversation starters in your repertoire of words.

This is especially true at parties or social gatherings where you may find yourself trying to make awkward conversation.

Psychology Today tells us one out of two Americans consider themselves to be shy. Thus, people who feel less comfortable in social situations may have difficulty thinking of relevant conversation topics. In fact, anxiety often blocks the brain’s ability to think of interesting subjects to talk about.

Here in this post, you’ll find what you need to stock your communication arsenal with powerful artillery. We can help you decrease social anxiety by offering you this bountiful inventory of 275 interesting ways to start a conversation.

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How To Start A Conversation About Sports

Do you have a favorite sport?

What sports teams do you follow?

Did you catch the big game last night?

What do you think about football?

Do you prefer college or professional sports?

Did you play any high school or college sports?

Do you think college athletes should be paid to play?

What’s the farthest you’ve ever traveled to see a game?

Do you have a favorite athlete?

If you could play a professional sport, what would it be?

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Good Education Conversation Starters

Where did you graduate from high school?

How would you describe your high school experience growing up?

Where did you graduate from college?

Do you ever think about going back to school?

What was your best subject in school?

What was your college experience like?

What year did you graduate?

Which was your favorite subject in college?

What’s your favorite school memory?

What extracurriculars did you participate in at school?

Personal Interest Conversation Starters

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Do you like to collect anything?

What are your hobbies?

Where’s a good place to volunteer nearby?

What’s your favorite thing to do?

Do you enjoy arts and crafts?

Where’s a good place to eat nearby?

Do you like to dance?

What’s your favorite restaurant?

Do you play any musical instruments?

How To Start A Conversation About Family

How did you and your partner meet?

How long have you been enjoying married life?

In your opinion, what’s the best thing about marriage?

Do you think people who are married are happier than those who are single?

How old are your children?

What do you think is the hardest thing about raising children?

How did you teach your children to behave so well?

Do you have any advice about raising happy children?

What are your tricks for getting kids to school on time in the mornings?

Do you have siblings?

What’s the best thing about being single?

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The Best Career Conversation Starters

What‘s your ideal job?

Do you work outside the home?

What do you like best about your career?

How do you balance your personal life and your career so well?

Do you have a long work commute?

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned as a ________?

How long did you go to school to get where you are today?

If you had it to do over again, would you choose the same career?

Do you think it’s more productive working in an office environment or from home?

How do you avoid getting burned out?

How To Start A Conversation About The Home

Do you like to decorate?

What’s your decorating style?

Do you prefer a minimalist style or one that looks more lived in?

What’s your favorite decoration in your home?

Do you enjoy decorating for the holidays?

How do you keep your home so organized?

Your home is spotless! How do you manage to keep it so clean?

I love these ________! Do you mind telling me where you got them?

Do you enjoy working in the garden?

What kind of floor cleaner, furniture polish, mop, etc. do you recommend?

How To Start Talking About Hopes and Dreams

Do you see yourself doing this type of work forever?

If you could change careers, what would you choose?

What are some items on your bucket list?

What do you think is the epic impossible dream?

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

What kind of retirement would you like to have?

Is there anything you want to learn how to do?

What’s a life dream you’ve already accomplished?

If you could choose anywhere to live, where would it be?

What are your ultimate career goals?

Business And Finance Conversation Starters

What do you think about the stock market?

Where does the future of technology lie?

Do you believe annuities are a good investment?

In your opinion, how should people hedge their assets against inflation?

Are there any nearby financial planners you can recommend?

Which stockbroker do you use? Would you recommend him/her?

Where does the future of investment lie?

Is it better to have money in various banks or just use one?

Do you think it’s better to own or rent a home?

What do you think about savings accounts?

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How To Start A Conversation About Books

Do you like to read?

What books do you enjoy reading?

Who’s your favorite author?

Have you ever thought about writing a book?

What’s your favorite book?

In your opinion, what’s the best movie ever made from a book?

Do you most enjoy reading a book or seeing a movie made from the book?

Which genre of books is the most interesting?

Have you read any funny books lately? I could use a good, lighthearted read.

Do you read poetry?

What’s your favorite book of the classics?

Good Conversation Starters About Success

What’s the best thing you’ve ever done?

Tell me some of the failures you’ve experienced that led to success later.

What’s your secret to success?

Who’s the most successful person that you admire?

In your opinion, what are the keys to success?

What are the traits most vital for success?

How do you teach your children to be successful?

How many setbacks did you experience before becoming successful?

What is the most important thing to learn from a setback?

Topics Related To Younger Years

Where were you born?

In what area did you grow up?

What was something special about your childhood?

Did you stay in the same area during your childhood?

What’s the best thing you remember from your younger years?

How have times changed from your childhood to your children’s childhood?

What did your parents do for a living?

Did you have a strict upbringing?

How are you raising your children differently than you were raised?

What was your very first job?

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Good Conversation Starters Pertaining To Skills

What made you decide to go into _________?

Is your talent natural or learned?

How did you become accomplished so quickly?

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

Where did you learn to _________?

Which of your skill sets are the most rewarding?

Is this a skill that could allow a good living?

What’s the best way for me to learn how to do this?

Are you available as a teacher or coach?

Who do you recommend for teaching me how to ____________?

Topics For Personal Style

I really love your style. Do you have a few tips for me?

Where did you get that fabulous ___________?

I love your shoes. Are they as comfortable as they look?

What are the most comfortable shoes to wear?

Do you think it’s better to match your shoes with your pants or your blouse?

What’s the best way to accessorize?

Which type of jewelry do you prefer?

What do you like to wear with leggings?

Do you ever wear hats?

What accessories do you think would look good with my outfit?

Start A Conversation About The Arts

Do you enjoy going to community events?

What’s the best local play you’ve seen?

Have you ever been to a Broadway play?

Do you like the symphony or other types of music?

What do you think of the local Arts scene?

Can you recommend a good art gallery?

Who’s your favorite artist?

Tell me, who’s your favorite musician?

Have you ever tried sculpting? (or another of the arts)

Do you have a favorite painting?

Which art genre do you prefer? (Abstract, still life, portraits, etc.)

Good Conversation Starters Regarding Shopping

Where’s your favorite place to go clothes shopping?

In your opinion, who has the best sales/bargains?

Do you go out of town to find those gorgeous outfits?

Who offers the best shopping experience around here?

Do you know of any new shops opening soon?

Where’s the best jewelry store?

Have you ever shopped at __________?

What’s your favorite discount store?

Can you recommend a good automobile dealership with honest salespeople?

Where’s the best place to go for vehicle maintenance?

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Questions To Ask About Appliances And Technology

Which television brand do you recommend?

Do you have an opinion about which cell phone is best?

Who offers the best deals on appliances?

What’s the difference between Android and Apple?

Who offers the best service for smartphones?

Do you know who I can call to get my dishwasher, oven, etc., repaired?

Which technology has the brightest future?

What’s your favorite radio station?

Does social media have any good benefits?

In your opinion, how does technology negatively affect human behavior?

Routine, Make-Up, Fashion Conversation Starters

You look so well put together! What time savers work for you when getting ready?

Are you a routine person or a go-with-the-flow person?

What’s your secret for always being on time?

Your skin is absolutely glowing! What skin products do you use?

What’s your secret to great skin?

How do you keep your legs so toned?

Your look is so pretty! Which makeup item do you never go without?

What’s the secret of great eye makeup?

How do you get your hair so shiny?

What’s the best hair product you like to use?

How can I get my hair to look as thick as yours?

What’s your favorite nail salon?

Asking About Likes And Dislikes

Are you a cat person or a dog person?

How do you like living here?

Where’s the best place you’ve lived?

What’s your favorite time of year?

Which holiday is your favorite?

Are you a coffee drinker? How do you take it?

What’s your favorite meal?

Where’s the best coffee shop in town?

Is there a good gym where you like to work out?

Do you prefer a vacation at the beach or in the mountains?

What’s the best concert you’ve ever attended?

Where do you like to volunteer?

Do you like outdoor activities or indoor activities best?

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Good Conversation Starters About Current Events

Do you know of any good concerts coming to town?

Have you been to one of the local plays/productions?

What do you think of _______? (current news event)

Which podcasts do you listen to?

Are you going to the upcoming party, ball, fundraiser, etc. event coming up?

Have you been to ____________? (new restaurant, club, store, tourist attraction, place)

Which local TV station has the best newscast?

Can you recommend a church with a good youth program?

Do you have a winery nearby that’s fun to visit?

What local celebrations do you like to attend?

Start Talking About Food

Do you like to cook/bake?

What are some special dishes that you make?

Do you know of a good bakery in town?

Who has the best steak in town?

What do you think about grilling outside?

Do you have a good recipe for _______?

Is there an organic grocery store nearby?

What’s the best way to make gravy?

Do you enjoy watching cooking shows? Which is your favorite?

Who makes the best Margaritas in town?

What’s your favorite drink?

Pets And Animals

Do you like animals?

What’s your favorite animal?

How many pets do you have?

Do you think people with pets are happier than those who don’t have them?

Where’s the nearest zoo? I’d love to take my kids to one.

What do you think of our local zoo?

Do you enjoy watching shows about animals?

What’s the smartest dog breed?

What’s your favorite dog breed?

Are you a reptile person, a rodent person, or an amphibian person?

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History and Culture Topics To Ask About

What do you know about our town’s history?

Who’s your favorite historical figure?

Do you like historical books, movies, places, etc.?

What do you find most interesting about history?

Are you a history buff?

What historical places have you visited?

Who’s your favorite president from any time before you were born?

Do you believe it’s important to preserve our history?

What’s the worst event that ever happened in the world?

Do you remember what you were doing when _______happened?

How-Tos Are Good Conversation Starters

Do you know the secrets of how to balance work and family life?

How do you always manage to look so great?

Tell me how you find time to stay in shape.

What’s the best self-care you do for yourself?

How can I improve my organizational skills?

Tell me your secrets for maintaining such a calm demeanor, patient attitude, beautiful home, etc.

Please explain how you always seem so confident. I need some coaching!

I need to know how to find those fabulous shoes you’re wearing.

Could you show me how to get movies, Instagram, use Siri, etc., on my smartphone?

Can you explain how to play pickleball? I’ve been hearing a lot about it.

Have You Ever?

Have you ever worked for yourself?

Have you ever been to Hawaii?

Have you ever tried frog legs?

Have you ever watched the sunrise?

Have you ever seen a double rainbow?

Have you ever worked multiple jobs at a time?

Have you ever seen a shooting star flying across the sky?

Have you ever driven a standard vehicle?

Have you ever made lemonade out of lemons?

Have you ever been thrown a curveball and come away stronger?

How To Start A Conversation About Travel

Have you ever been on a cruise? What was it like?

Where’s your favorite place to travel?

Have you been to Europe?

What’s the most unusual vacation you’ve taken?

Have you had any bad vacation experiences?

Where do you suggest I not visit?

Which method of travel do you prefer? road trip, plane, train, cruise?

What’s the best thing about taking vacations?

Do you think it’s safe to travel outside the country?

How difficult is it to get a passport?

Where’s the most beautiful place you’ve been?

Do you have a good travel agent to recommend?

Have you been to Alaska?

Miscellaneous Conversation Topics

Have you ever tried Wordle?

What’s the wildest thing you’ve ever done?

How do you feel about driverless vehicles?

What’s the best way to stop worrying?

How do you deal with stress?

What’s the biggest challenge the world faces today?

What’s your stance on the current state of healthcare?

Would you like to get together for lunch soon?

Are you interested in doing something fun together?

What’s your favorite Netflix series?

Do you have a favorite beach?

What’s the one thing you’ll never do again?

Would you like to come to dinner at my place?

Do you know how to play Sudoku?

Final Thoughts For Good Conversation Starters

By now, you’ve picked through these 275 topics and found some to fit your needs. Next, whenever a social occasion looms, look back over this list and commit your favorites to memory. Goodbye, long, awkward conversation pauses!

Talking to others can be a fun experience while offering opportunities for personal growth. While it’s good to be prepared with conversation topics, remember to listen and acknowledge responses from your listeners.

Now, you’re ready to go out there and become a conversation ninja!

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