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1. Career Development
2. How To Start A Conversation (With Conversation Starters)

How To Start A Conversation (With

Conversation Starters)
Indeed Editorial Team

Updated 7 July 2024

Being able to start a meaningful conversation is an important skill that

you can use to build and strengthen relationships. When you meet
someone for the first time, you can make specific word choices to
create a positive first impression. Establishing a list of conversation
starters can also help you communicate with any person under any
circumstances.In this article, we discuss how to start a conversation,
explore 20 ways to start talking to a new person and share some
examples of conversation starters for different situations.Key
takeaways:
 • Starting a conversation can be done by asking a question, giving
a compliment, talking about an event or situation, asking for
help, and asking for someone's opinion.
• Connecting on common ground, such as shared interests or
traits, can initiate meaningful conversations, and even asking for
a favour can help build trust and rapport.
• Tailoring your approach depending on the situation, such as
different conversation starters for colleagues, managers,
corporate events and casual gatherings, can enhance
effectiveness of your communication.
 
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How To Start A Conversation?

In the workplace, you can choose from a wide variety of topics on how
to start a conversation as long as they are appropriate for the
environment. Conversation starters with colleagues or professional
contacts can look different than those with new friends or
acquaintances. Your initial efforts can start a conversation that might
help you build valuable relationships with coworkers and colleagues.
Here are some of the best ways to start a conversation:

1. Ask a question

One effective tactic to start a conversation is asking a question to the

person you want to speak to. Depending on the situation you are in,
you can ask questions related to food, weather or anything that can
start a conversation. Even if you know the answer to your question, it
can be a great way to begin conversing with strangers.Example: “Do
you know who is going to speak after the company's president has
addressed the audience?”
2. Give a compliment

Complimenting someone whom you have met for the first time can
lead to an ongoing and pleasant conversation. You can pick anything
about the person you like and say something nice about
them.Example: “Your presentation was very inspiring and
informational.”Related: How To Praise Someone Professionally (With
51 Examples)

3. Talk about an event or situation

Identify something interesting in your surroundings and talk about it.

For instance, if you are at a business conference, you can share your
views on the conference with the person sitting next to you. If you are
in a coffee shop, you can talk about your favourite coffee to the person
next to you in line.Example: “My favourite shake is the Belgium chocolate
shake topped with whipped cream and ice cream. What is
yours?”Related: Conversation Skills: Importance And Tips To
Improve

4. Ask an opinion

To start a conversation with someone you do not know, you can ask
someone's opinion on a particular topic. When you give importance to
the opinions of others, you can showcase your willingness to talk to
that person.Example: “I am looking for comfortable sports shoes. Can
you recommend brands that offer comfortable and affordable shoes?"

5. Offer help

If you have an option to help someone you want to talk to, offer them
your help. When you provide assistance without asking, you can earn
the other person's trust because you show genuine concern for their
needs.Example: “Can I help you convert the bar graph to line graph?"

6. Ask for help

Asking and requesting help from someone is a great way to start a

conversation. Before asking for help, you can make sure your request
is convenient and easy to perform.Example: “I lost my way because of
the heavy rainfall. Can you show me how to find the main street?”

7. Ask open-ended questions

Asking open-ended questions can initiate meaningful discussions,

especially when you attend an event like a party or
conference.Example: “I have never heard such loud music at any of the
social parties I attended. Have you?”Related: What Are Open-Ended
Questions? A Complete Guide

8. Share an interesting fact

Sharing an exciting fact with someone you want to talk to can be an

effective way to establish a meaningful conversation. This is because it
can connect two people through exploring a common interest or
learning something new.Example: “Did you know that Varanasi, the
oldest inhabited place in the world, is 5,000 years old?”

9. Make a useful comment

Another effective strategy to start a conversation is making a useful or

insightful comment based on the situation you find yourself. This way
of conversing works best when there is something common to talk
about.Example: “When designing presentations, I prefer using the mouse
pad in the laptop over an optical mouse.”

10. Ask a favour

When you ask a favour from someone, it can help to build a connection
with that person by showing that you trust them. But, make sure that
the favour is convenient and easy for them to do.Example: “My pen just
stopped working. Can I borrow your pen quickly?”

11. Mention a mutual colleague

Naming someone you both know can tell the listener that you are an
extended part of their social circle. This might interest the other
person to talk to you.Example: “Do you know Honey Jain from the
finance department? She and I have completed many projects together.”

12. Introduce yourself

If you cannot come up with a conversation starter, you can always try a
direct approach and introduce yourself.Example: “Hi, my name is
Poonam Rai. I am a new joinee.”Related: How to Introduce Yourself
Professionally

13. Ask for an update

If you know someone by their reputation, you can ask for an update on
something you know they have been doing. It is a great way to start a
conversation, as you show concern about the other person.Example: “I
heard you were working on your food delivery venture. How is it going?”

14. Talk about them

Almost everyone loves to talk about themselves. So, to start a

conversation, talk about the other person to trigger their interest and
ensure a meaningful conversation.Example: “Your desktop's wallpaper
has a photo of a cute and innocent child. How old is your child?”

15. Make an observation

The environment in which you live or work can provide ample

opportunities to start a conversation. For example, you can comment
on the building, artwork or temperature.Example: “I think our office
building has beautiful architecture.”

16. Ask about their background

Another effective tactic to converse with someone is asking questions

about their background, such as their education or previous work
experiences.Example: “Welcome to the marketing team. Tell me
something about your educational qualifications and work
experience.”Related: How To Share Your Education Background
17. Seek advice

You can start a conversation by seeking advice from a stranger. When

doing so, try to keep your advice relevant to the
environment.Example: “I am not sure whether to use the AP style guide
or Chicago style guide to write the business report that is due tomorrow
morning.”

18. Discuss common interests

In many circumstances, you may share an obvious interest with the

other person. For example, if you both watch a cricket match sitting in
a coffee shop, cricket is the common interest for both
parties.Example: “Are you following the local cricketing tournament? I
watched the last game at the stadium. Are you planning to watch any of
the remaining matches?”Related: How To Start A Group Discussion
(And Tips To Lead One)

19. Talk about a shared trait

You can use this strategy when the stranger shares a common trait
with you. Making conversations about a common trait is a great way to
start a meaningful conversation.Example: “I noticed that you eat with
your left hand but write with your right hand. I do the same.”

20. Talk about the current environment

If you are not sure how to connect or start a conversation with

someone, talk about the current environment. This can help develop
conversation topics and help you develop a strong
relationship.Example: “Which dish from this restaurant would you
recommend?”Related: How To Improve Business Conversation Skills
(With Tips)

Conversation Starters For Different Situations

Conversation starters are important for effective and enjoyable
discussions with colleagues, friends and strangers. Here are a few
conversation starters for different situations:

Conversation starters for conferences and corporate events

Use these questions to start a conversation at corporate event:

• Which of these speakers were successful in capturing your attention

with their speech?
• Could you give me directions to reach the conference room?
• How do you compare this conference with others you attended?
• What do you like most about this event?
• Did you attend this event last year?

Conversation starter for casual events

Parties and social events can happen anywhere, from a hotel to an

auditorium. Most of the time, these casual events provide networking
opportunities. Here are some casual conversation starters:

• What is your favourite vacation destination?

• Who else do you know at this event?
• Did you see the awards last night?
• I love your jeans. Where did you buy them?
• Do you come to many events like these?

Conversation starters for colleagues and managers

Here are a few ways to start a conversation with your colleagues and
managers:

• How much has the company changed since your joining?

• You did excellent work on the Mumbai project.
• How would you rate your experience of working with this company?
• Do you know if the sales head would deliver the speech after the
regional head?
• Hi, I am Reyansh Kwatra. I am a new joiner and I want to introduce
myself to the rest of the team.
  
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