Interesting topics to discuss with a group

When a group of friends, colleagues, or family come together, lively conversations can make the atmosphere more enjoyable for everyone. Having a few conversation starters on hand is an excellent way to introduce new ideas and keep the conversation flowing. Try using these topics at your next dinner party or gathering, or to maintain an engaging atmosphere that helps everyone get to know each other better.

TV shows, movies, and podcasts are some of the hottest trends of today. Discussing what everyone is currently watching is a great way to stay in tune with the latest in pop culture. If there's something you're not familiar with, ask others for recommendations so you can check it out at home later.

• You could ask: “What’s everyone watching these days?”
• Or: “I heard there’s a new podcast about a real crime story. Has anyone listened to it yet?”

What’s the weirdest thing you saw on the internet today? Maybe the elephants at the city zoo just made friends with some seagulls flying by. Or perhaps you stumbled upon a new account of a celebrity posting wild videos. Talk about what you've seen online to kickstart a fun and interesting conversation.

• Say something like: “Has anyone seen the video of the baby otter holding its mom's hand?”
• Or: “I just found the funniest dance video of Justin Bieber on Tiktok.”

If you've recently read a good book, share your thoughts. Whether it's a novel, an autobiography, or even a comic book, talking about your latest read can be a great conversation starter. Encourage others to jump in with their favorite books or authors to keep the chat going.

• Try saying: “Has anyone read Stephen King’s latest book? I heard it’s really creepy.”
• Or: “I just finished The Hobbit. The book is even better than the movie!”

Make everyone's mouth water by sharing your favorite recipe. Exchange cooking stories or share a delicious batch of baked goods you've just made. Reveal techniques for picking new recipes or websites with amazing recipes you've recently found.

• For example: “Yesterday I baked the most amazing batch of cookies, and the recipe was super easy!”
• Or “Has anyone cooked anything delicious lately? I've been ordering food a lot recently. I need some cooking inspiration!”

Encourage everyone to share the most amazing places they've ever visited. You can learn about different provinces, cities, and even countries! Also, feel free to share your travel experiences.

• Pose questions like: “What place in the world has shocked you the most culturally?”
• Or “Which country has the best food?”

Bond over childhood memories or nostalgic moments from the past. Ask people about their hometowns, where they grew up, or their siblings. You might discover some surprising common ground!

• Ask something like: “Did everyone grow up here?”
• Or: “What position were you in the sibling order?”

Upcoming future plans always bring excitement. If someone in the group is working on a new plan, ask them about their intentions! They might be planning to move, change careers, have a baby, or go back to school.

• You could ask: “What is everyone planning to do soon? Any exciting plans coming up?”
• Or: “I’m thinking about moving to Da Nang. Has anyone lived there before?”

People often enjoy sharing what they do in their free time. Ask the group about their hobbies outside of work and other obligations. If you're close to them, ask specific questions.

• For example, you could say: “What fun activities do you all enjoy in your free time?”
• Or: “I heard you two have been going canoeing lately. What’s it like?”

Why do people choose the career path they've chosen? You can ask the group about their first jobs, qualifications, and upcoming plans. Since most people spend a lot of time at work, there is often much to discuss about careers.

• Try saying something like: “How did you get into this career?”
• Or: “What are your career plans for the future?”

Ask about people’s spouses, parents, or siblings. Get to know a bit more about everyone's personal lives: Did one person’s father just get promoted? Is another person about to get engaged? You can ask about someone specifically or inquire about the group as a whole.

• Try asking questions like: “How’s everyone’s family doing lately?”
• Or: “How’s your dad doing these days?”

Everyone in the group is connected to one another in some way. If you don’t know everyone there, ask how they know each other. Usually, each encounter has an interesting backstory, and you might learn something new about your friends.

• You could say: “How does everyone know each other?”
• Or: “I met Bình at a party at university. How do you all know him?”

Spice up the conversation with some fun hypothetical “what if” scenarios. Keep a few of these handy to liven up the mood. Try asking questions like:

• “What would you do if everything became legal for a day?”
• “If you had to spend the rest of your life as an animal, which one would you choose?”
• “If you could only eat pizza or hot dogs every day, which would you pick?”

• Silences in conversations are normal, so don’t feel awkward when everyone falls quiet for a moment.