Buzz
When talking to friends or strangers, there are moments where awkward pauses are inevitable. Luckily, by keeping a few interesting topics in your back pocket, you'll always have something to ask that will keep the conversation flowing! Here, we've gathered the 14 best questions you can use to ensure you never find yourself in those uncomfortable silent moments again.
Steps
"What's the most fun thing that happened to you this past week?"
Encourage the other person to share a positive experience. If you want to come across as someone who is upbeat and optimistic (which is always a great impression, right?), try asking this question! Who knows, their answer might surprise you, and you can use that as a lead to continue the conversation.
- For example, if they say, "I just got promoted!" You could reply, "Oh, congratulations! Where do you work?"
"What do you like to do for fun?"
Ask about the other person's hobbies. If you'd rather not jump straight into work-related topics, try asking what they do on weekends. This question can give you a better idea of who they are and what kind of person they might be. It's also a great conversation starter with coworkers or even your boss, and you might discover that you share similar interests.
- You could ask things like, "Do you know of any fun activities around here?"
- Or ask, "What did you do this past weekend?"
"What do you do for a living?"
People often care a lot about their professions. If you don't know anything about the person, this is a great question to ask. You can keep the conversation going by asking how long they've been in the field, if they enjoy it, and then you can share a bit about your own job.
- For example, if they tell you about their profession, you might respond with, "Oh, that's interesting! I actually considered that field, but ended up switching to biology in my final year of college."
- If you're speaking with a child, you can ask, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
- If the person you're talking to is still in college, you can ask, "What major are you studying?"
"Where are you from?"
Ask the other person to share a bit about their hometown. People usually enjoy talking about their childhood, so this is a great question to break the ice. You can keep the conversation going by sharing where you grew up and your feelings toward that place. Don't hesitate to share a few childhood memories too!
- You could also ask, "Have you been here long?" or "Does your family live here?"
"Do you have any pets?"
Almost everyone loves talking about their pets. But if they say they don't have any, you can ask if they would like to have one in the future (this is a great question for kids too). If you have pets, share a funny story about them or even show them a picture if you have one handy.
- You can continue the conversation by asking things like, "What breed are they?" "How old are they?" "How did you get them?"
"Have you been to any concerts/movies/theater shows recently?"
Ask if the person has any interesting stories to share with you. Perhaps they just attended a concert with their favorite band or went to the premiere of a movie you haven't heard of. This topic is broad enough to spark a long conversation and can give you more insight into the person you're speaking with and their interests.
- After they talk about a movie, play, or performance they've seen, you could respond with, "Oh, I’ve heard of that! Did you enjoy it?" Or, "Sounds interesting, I haven't seen it yet. Was it good?"
"Have you watched any TV shows lately?"
TV shows have never been more popular than they are now. You and the other person can chat about the shows you're watching and recommend others to each other. This is also a great way to see if you have any common interests and ask for their opinions on those topics as well.
- For example, you could say, "I've heard a lot about that show but haven’t had the chance to watch it yet. Is it really as good as everyone says?"
"What are you reading?"
Bring up the books you're currently reading to spark an interesting conversation. After asking what they're reading, share with them the book you've just finished! Discuss book genres, your favorite authors, and the book you're planning to read next to keep the conversation engaging.
- For example, you could continue by saying, "I haven’t read that one, but I’ve reserved it at the library. Have you picked up her latest book yet?"
"Do you like this kind of beer/soda/food?"
Observe what they're eating or drinking to start a conversation. If you're unsure what to say, ask them about the food or drinks they have. This is especially effective at parties, where almost everyone is enjoying something. You can talk about the beer, soda, food, or anything else you're noticing in front of you.
- For example, if you're talking about beer, you could follow up with, "I really like this brand of beer. Have you been to their brewery? I went on a tour there when they first opened."
"Did you watch the game last night?"
If you know the person is into sports, this could be a great topic for a lively discussion. Perhaps you’ve heard them mention their love for football or seen them wearing a team’s fan shirt. When the two of you start talking about the game from last night (or last week, or last month), you can share your thoughts on your favorite teams, players, and your predictions for the season. Just remember not to let any differences of opinion lead to a heated argument!
- If you play any sport, don’t hesitate to bring it up! Maybe the other person is also a sports enthusiast, and the two of you can chat about recent games.
"How's your project going?"
If you know the person is working on a project, ask them about it. They might be handling a tough task at work or participating in a big project at school. No matter what, you can ask how things are going. Then you can follow up by asking how far along they are or if they're encountering any obstacles.
- For example, if you ask how their project is progressing and they mention struggling, you could say, "What's going on? Is there a problem?"
"What's the scariest food you've ever eaten?"
This light-hearted topic can actually make for a fun conversation. If you're not sure what to talk about and need an icebreaker, this question is a great choice. The other person might laugh, and both of you can take a moment to recall your experiences. You can keep the conversation going by asking how they ended up eating that particular dish and where it happened.
- For example, if they mention eating fried scorpions, you could say, "Oh, did you go to Thailand or somewhere nearby? I think that's a dish you'd mostly find there."
"What's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you?"
This general question will encourage the other person to share a funny story. If you've just met them and are running out of things to talk about, try switching things up by asking them to share a humorous experience. Hopefully, you'll both end up laughing, and you can continue by sharing your own funny story.
- If you want to narrow the question a bit, you could ask things like, "What's the funniest thing that happened to you as a kid?" or "When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried?"
"If you could take a vacation anywhere, where would you go?"
Make an assumption to learn more about the other person. For example, if they choose a tropical destination, you could ask if they like the beach. If they pick a cold climate place, you could ask if winter is their favorite season. This is a great way to share a bit about yourself and build a closer connection with someone you don't know very well.
- When they respond, encourage them to elaborate by asking questions like, "Why is that?" or "That's interesting! Why did you choose that place?"
Advice
- Body language matters just as much! If you're speaking face-to-face with someone, try to maintain eye contact and nod while they speak.
