100+ Best Conversation Starters & Conversation Tips

In social circumstances, we meet other people and need to begin conversing with them. Doing so
can be very difficult. After all, here you are with a complete stranger and you are supposed to
start a conversation with him or her. Additionally, when you want to get to know someone, you
need to get them talking about themselves. When meeting someone for the first time or trying to
get to know someone better, you need to know some good conversation starters.
What do we mean by a good conversation starter? Good conversation starters engage the other
person and illicit a response. They relax those conversing and lead to longer and, perhaps, deeper
conversational topics.
Table of Contents

1 How to Start a Conversation

2 How to Start a Conversation with a Girl
3 How to Start a Conversation with a Guy
4 Funny Conversation Starters
5 Conversation Starter Questions
6 How to Keep a Conversation Going
7 How to Keep a Conversation Going with a Girl
8 How to Keep a Conversation Going with a Guy
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8.1 Related Posts
How to Start a Conversation
Before you attempt to begin a conversation:

Take a Deep Breath and Relax. Remember that people talk to each other all the time
and most conversations come naturally after the first few sentences.

Let Go of Your Fear. Do not worry about being boring or saying something stupid. Just
begin talking.

Introduce Yourself If Appropriate To Do So. If you think that doing so will help,
extend your hand, and tell them your full name and, if they do not tell you theirs, ask what it is.
There are a few things to remember when you start a conversation. It is best to build a
conversation on something you know the person likes or something you have in common, so
choose your conversation topic carefully. Add intimacy by saying the other persons name

occasionally throughout the conversation. Use questions and respond to what your listener says
appropriately. Also, consider the time and place. You probably do not want to use a funny
conversation starter if you are at a funeral or after a sad movie.
Choose Your Conversational Topics

Use Current Events. If you know of something that happened recently that most people
are talking about, ask the other person what they think about the story. Just be careful not to
discuss anything too controversial a real conversation stopper.

Use the Listeners Favorites. If you know something the other person really enjoys, that
is always a good conversation starter. We all like to talk about what we love, whether it is a
hobby or pastime, a pet, or our family.

Talk About Your Favorites. If there is something you really love, your will find it easy
to talk about it with someone else. Sometimes your listener may want to just listen to you talk
for a while and your enthusiasm about what you love may encourage them to open up and talk.
Say the Other Persons Name
Doing so helps you remember the persons name and often puts then at ease. It also adds a sense
of intimacy, so is a good tool to use when talking about personal subjects.
Try Asking an Open-ended Question
An open-ended question cannot be answered with a simple Yes or No, but needs an
explanation. Using the words who, what, when, where, why, and how cause the person to
elaborate about their thoughts, feelings, and opinions.
Illicit a Response to Your Comment
Talk about something that is of interest to you, and then ask a question related to what you said.
For example, share the title of your favorite movie, then ask the name of theirs.
Answer a Question with a Question
When a person seems hesitant to talk about him or herself, they may ask you several questions.
You can deflect the question(s) with your own question(s). For example, if they ask, What did
you think of the music awards the other night? you could respond with, What did you think?
Use Words That Appeal to the Senses
Words such as feel, appear, and hear encourage your listener to not only pay attention, but
also remember the conversation. Describe colors, sounds, tastes, and feelings to paint a visual
picture of a place or event.

Respond Naturally
Smile and laugh when someone is funny. Use facial expression to denote gratitude, empathy,
and curiosity as appropriate for the conversations content.

How to Start a Conversation with a Girl

When you start a conversation with a girl, the key is sincerity. Most girls can tell if you are a
player, just using flattery to get and keep their attention. Often beginning a conversation talking
about you puts a girl at ease and opens the door for sharing thoughts and ideas.
Sometimes it is best to practice on a female friend or family member. Your sister, if you have
one, will be brutally honest if your conversation starter misses the mark. Mothers and other older
female relatives may also be able to give some advice as to what works and what does not.

Remember to really look at her. Flattering comments dealing with appearance are always good
conversation starters. Do you like her hair or eyes? Tell her. Is she wearing your favorite color?
Let her know.
Here are some specific conversation starters to interest a girl and get her talking:

Tell me where you are working (this summer, for the holidays, etc.) and why you chose
that place.
This conversation starter can lead to recounting anecdotes about job experiences you have both
had, you favorite jobs, and what job you want in the future>

Tell me about your family.

This open-ended question works to start a conversation about siblings, grandparents, and funny
family vacations and experiences.

Name one thing you own that you really love.

Asking this question and listening carefully to the answer gives you some foundational
information upon which to build an interesting conversation.

Talk about your most embarrassing moment and ask about hers.
Embarrassing moments are usually humorous, so this topic will help her relax and feel
comfortable talking to you.

Talk about your favorite food (color, song, movie, etc.) and ask about hers.
Favorites always work well as conversation starters. Remember to pause while sharing yours so
she has a chance to speak.

Relay what you have planned for the weekend and asked about her plans.
You may find out you have the same or similar plans, which can lead to sharing some time
together.

Tell her about your pets and ask about hers.

Girls love talking about their pets. If she does not have any, ask what animal she would like to
have as a pet.

Ask what types of clothing she enjoys wearing the most.

A good key to finding out her personality type. If she goes for casual clothes, future dates to
sporting events, movies, or a local burger joint probably will appeal to her. If she loves to dress
up, consider a date to the fancy restaurant.

Ask her favorite thing to do with her friends.

If she likes to do something with her friends, she will probably enjoy doing it with you as well.

Ask what is the best thing that has happened to her lately.
Another good way to find out what is important to her money, helping others, etc.

Ask her opinion about where you are, what you are eating, or what you are doing.
Girls like to be taken seriously and when you ask your opinion, she gets the idea that you have
respect for what she thinks.

Ask which she prefers texting, calling, or emailing.

You can follow up by asking for your new friends phone number or email address.

How to Start a Conversation with a Guy

The key to starting a conversation with a guy is knowing his interests. Check out his Facebook
page, if he has one, to see if he likes cars, fishing, sports, etc. Usually a leading question about
his favorite pastime will get the conversation going. If you do not know some of the terminology
he uses, ask him to explain. Additionally, a sarcastic or funny comment can get the conversation
going.
Practice starting a conversation with your father, brother, other male relative, or a male friend.
Since you are practicing with someone you know, you can relax. Make sure you ask them how
well you are doing at starting a conversation and for any tips they may have.

Most guys love cars, so ask him about his first car.

Continue the conversation by asking about his dream car. Ask if he has any pictures of vehicles
he likes or vehicle shows he has seen.

Guys get scars from being so active.

Ask him if he has at least one scar from some activity or mishap. Ask he responds positively, ask
if you can see it (if it is not someplace inappropriate), and what the story is behind the scar.

Guys like compliments and do not receive them often.

If you like his shirt, tell him so and why it is your favorite color, you like the style, etc. you can
also comment on his hair.

Say, I like your tattoos (piercings). Tell me about them.

If he has none, ask if he would like to have a tattoo. If he responds positively, ask of what.

Ask about the scariest thing he has ever done.

Guys tend to be daredevils. Asking this question is a good way to get him to talk about his daring
deeds.

Ask if he participates in or enjoys a particular sport.

It should not be hard to get him talking about a recent game or his favorite player.

Funny Conversation Starters

You may not think of yourself as a funny person. However, it is not difficult to start a
conversation with humor. Doing so gets the other person to relax, the first step in building a good
conversation. You do not have to get belly laughs each time a simple smile is sometimes
enough to get your listener in a good state of mind. Funny conversation starters work well at
parties and to break a gloomy mood caused by a cloudy day or unexpected circumstances. Try
one of the following:

Make an animal noise and then explain that if you could be any animal, this is the one
you would choose and why. Then ask the other person which animal they would choose to be
and why.

Tell about the silliest, weirdest, or wildest thing you have ever done and ask your listener
to tell about their experiences.

Tell a joke you have heard recently and ask your listener if they have heard a good joke

lately.

Tell about a weird or yucky food you have eaten lately and ask what they have eaten that
was unusual.

Ask about what they do when the power goes out and tell about what you or your family
does.

Tell which superhero you would like to be or super power you would like to have and ask
which they would choose.

If you have a nickname, tell the story behind it. Then ask them if they have a nickname
and how they got it.

Tell about one thing that happened to you this week that made you laugh and ask them
what made them laugh recently.

Share a fun story about your family and ask about your listeners family.

Share who is your favorite cartoon character and why they are your favorite. Then ask
them to share theirs.

Ask what their favorite comedy (movie or sitcom) is and what part (or episode) they
thought was the funniest. Share yours.

Find out if the other person dreams in color and hears sounds when they dream.

Share your most embarrassing moments.

Talk about the dumbest purchases you have ever made.

Share the worst movies you have ever seen.

Discuss pet peeves and habits that are annoying.

Talk about collections stamps, rocks, etc.

Share the most adventurous things you have ever done.

Share you best vacations and worst vacations.

Conversation Starter Questions

Conversation questions work well, as most people feel that they must answer, no matter what
you ask. Try one of the following questions:

Do you play an instrument? Which one?

How do you spend your spare time?

How old do you want to be when you die?

I you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what is one thing you would want to do?

If you could be one age for the rest of your life, what age would you choose to be?

If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?

What do you do to relax?

What do you want to be doing in ten years?

What is one thing hard for you to do?

What is one thing you hate about yourself?

What is one thing you have never done that you would love to do?

What is one thing you like about your Mom?

What is one thing you like about yourself?

What is the best live performance you have been to?

What is your favorite color?

What is your favorite food? Your favorite drink?

What is your favorite hobby?

What is your favorite movie

What is your favorite pizza topping(s)?

What is your favorite song?

What is your favorite sport?

What is your favorite thing on which to spend money?

What is your favorite thing to do alone?

What kind of pet do you have?

What makes you discouraged?

What sporting event, concert, or other form of entertainment would you buy tickets to
regardless of how expensive they were?

What would you do if you won the lottery?

What would your perfect day be like?

When are you happiest?

Who (is) was your favorite teacher in school?

Who is your favorite singer? Your favorite actor (actress)?

Whom do you consider the most important person in your life?

Would you rather take a vacation in the mountains or at the beach?

Do you have any nervous habits?

How many siblings do you have, and what are their ages?

If you could be an animal, what animal would you be? Wny?

If you could live at any time in history, what time period would you choose? Why?

If you had to eat the same food every day for the rest of your life, which food would you
choose? Why?

What is one statement that you hope people will say about you after you die?

What is one thing you would like to change about yourself?

What is your favorite vegetable? Fruit?

What possession do you cherish the most?

What song would you choose as your theme song?

What sound do you like best? What sound do you hate?

What super power would you like to have? Why?

What was the most recent movie you saw? Did you like it?

What was your favorite toy when you were a child?

What would you like people to say about you after you die?

Where have you lived? For how long? How old were you when you lived in each place?

How to Keep a Conversation Going

Once you get a conversation started, the next thing is to keep it going. Doing so helps you find
out more about the other person and begin building a relationship. Our four tips will help you
keep the conversation rolling.
Tip #1 Maintain the Conversational Momentum
An ideal conversation consists of both individuals contributing about equally. Look for the
following to keep the conversational momentum moving:

Cues that the other person wants you to talk, such as a series of questions directed at you.

Pauses that indicate a change in topic.

Signs that the other person is getting bored with the conversation and that it needs to
change direction, such as yawning or losing eye contact.
Tip #2 Listen Actively
Pay attention to what the other person is saying, so that the conversation moves smoothly and
you are aware when a response or comment is appropriate. You may be able to use what you hear
to ask additional questions or make comment to keep the other person talking.
Tip #3 Encourage with Conversational Cues
Acknowledging what is being said with single words, such as Oh, Wow! or a nod or shake of
the head helps move the conversation along.
Tip #4 Draw on Previous Conversations
Think about any previous conversation you may have had with or about the person. For example,
if you had a brief conversation previously about a school project, ask for more details. If you
know the persons favorite movie or song, discuss the acting or the singer and their most recent
album.

How to Keep a Conversation Going with a Girl

Most girls like to share their feelings about clothes, their friends, and their families. Finding a
topic that is of interest to a girl can get her started talking and keep the conversation going. Ask a
girl about her pets or animals in general. Then share information about your pets. Liking animals
and talking about them is a great way to keep a conversation going.
Remember to be sensitive to feelings. Make sure the girl you are talking to is comfortable with
the topic you have chosen. Be thoughtful and stay away from topics that may be too personal,
such as previous relationships or the death of a family member.
If necessary, talk about simple things. Simple, everyday topics, such as the weather, are nonthreatening and can lead into longer conversations. For example, talking about the weather (It
sure is hot today.) can lead to a longer conversation about ways to stay cool (But it is great
weather for swimming. Do you swim often?) Simple subjects keep a conversation relaxed and
usually avoid controversy, making it possible to find things you both like. Stay away from deep
or controversial topics until you know each other better.
Choose the right questions. Avoid anything romantic, very personal, or sexual in nature, as you
do not want to scare her away. Use our list of Conversation Starter Questions or Funny
Conversation Starters to get her to relax and talk about herself. When she seems to be talking
about a subject of particular interest to her, use questions to keep the conversation going. Avoid

questions that can be answered with just a Yes or No as much as possible unless you can
follow her answer with a Why, Why Not, How, or another suitable query.

How to Keep a Conversation Going with a Guy

Although it sometimes is difficult to start a conversation with a guy especially with one you
have an interest in it can be even more difficult to keep the conversation going. Consider
making a comment on where you are or what you are doing. For example, comment on the room,
the food, or the lighting and ask him what she thinks about each. Any topic that leads to a string
of questions and answers will keep the conversation moving.
However, if you follow these tips, you will achieve success.

Get Him to Talk About Himself

Use questions to get him to open up and talk about himself. After all, the goal is to get to know
him, and if you talk only about yourself, you will end up knowing nothing about him and appear
self-absorbed.
Build a Conversation What He Says
Watch for clues that he is talking about something that really interests him and continue asking
questions or making comments to keep him talking. If you agree with him, say so. If you do not
understand something he says, ask him to explain.
Stay Focused on What He Says
Use facial expressions and phrases to indicate you are paying attention and to encourage him to
keep talking. Do not interrupt with long comments of your own unless there is a pause. Let your
facial expression convey your reaction to what he is saying. If he says something funny, laugh.
Use Compliments
Men do not get compliments often. Think about it; men do not compliment men. Therefore, a
simple mention of liking something he is wearing, participates in, or his hobby goes a long way.
Just do not go overboard with compliments, as that becomes creepy!

Although it is not always easy to start a conversation and keep it going, the more you converse
with others, the easier it will become. Soon you will find beginning a conversation with someone
comes naturally and without much effort. Once you learn how to start and keep a conversation
going, you will make more friends and have more opportunities for socializing. Get out there and
meet people, using what you have learned in this article to be a great conversationalist!