80+ Best Conversation Starters For Online Friends

For example, when you ask a grocery cashier how their day is going, you create small talk. Other common small talk topics include the weather, sports, and celebrity gossip. Generally, the best approach is to keep the conversation light and positive, while actively listening and allowing time for turn-taking. The goal of English small talk phrases like these isn’t to exchange deep information, but to establish warmth and mutual interest. It can help people feel at ease, and set the tone for more meaningful interactions later.

Small talk topics change depending on where you are and who you’re talking to. Here are some ideas for different situations you might find yourself in. Reading a list of topics helps, but seeing how a real exchange unfolds makes it easier to picture yourself using them. Here are a few short examples of small talk playing out naturally. Remember, the goal of small talk is to create a comfortable and enjoyable atmosphere.

Some people are naturally smooth talkers or social butterflies and have no problem initiating conversation with anyone they meet. Whether you’re running a meeting, hosting a training, webinar, or speaking at an event, polls are your best friend. The best virtual icebreakers are not the loudest or funniest ones. They are the one that fit your team, your meeting goal and the energy in the room. It’s about taking a break from everything for a while and enjoying quality time with friends or colleagues over a cup of coffee or tea. It’s fun to identify people, plus everyone gets to share something about themselves.

The topics of conversation often have little importance and are not controversial. Small talk builds familiarity and trust before deeper conversations happen. It signals warmth and interest, and it often opens the door to friendships, professional connections, and a more comfortable atmosphere in any social setting. Weather, the event you’re both attending, hobbies, food, and travel tend to work well because they are easy to answer and rarely feel invasive. Asking a simple, thewingtalks.com open-ended question like “What brought you here today?

• It can even be something completely impractical like being able to speak backward or walk on your hands, as long as it makes for an interesting conversation.
• Take care to try and avoid news on topics that the other person you know isn’t interested in or has a strong opinion about.
• Small talk questions are great conversation starters to build trust and rapport with someone new.
• Sometimes you need a question ready to go without thinking through a whole topic first.

Family Recipes And Cooking

Schedule an informal team catch-up from time to time just to chat with your remote teammates about something other than work. This works especially well when the icebreaker connects naturally to the meeting topic. Sharing is caring, and that should apply to both the good and the bad. Similar to sharing highlights, it’s important to also give attention to things that didn’t go so well – things we can learn from and move forward from together. Allow all groups a couple of minutes to discuss the topic before coming back to the main room to share what each pair talked about. Here, you’ll find more inspiration for quiz questions.

If you notice a question keeps getting a flat “yes” or “no,” rephrase it to invite a fuller answer. A simple observation about a cup of coffee opens the door to a short, friendly exchange without pressure on either side. Notice how the second person builds on the comment about weather and lets the conversation grow from there instead of leaving it at a one-word reply.

Cool Topics

Next, we have some great conversation starters to use in professional work settings, whether networking at an event, getting to know a new client, or chatting with colleagues. A deep talk doesn’t have to be perfectly wrapped up to still be meaningful. You’ve probably had one of those conversations where you walk away feeling like you barely discussed anything.

It’s been said that people who sweat together stick together, so we can assume this applies to talking about the art of sweating as well. Sports can be anything from which gym you visit to which your favorite team is. Talking about it with your significant other or even your friends can give you a better understanding of what you want for yourself. There are many things that our pets and wild animals do which are very cute. And some of them don’t even have to try, they’re just cute on sight.

What home is and how important it is can vary a lot from person to person. As with religion, try not to force your beliefs onto others and go into the discussion with an open mind. Nowadays, spirituality is often considered separate from organized religion, though there is some overlap.

The morality of using illegal substances, the war on drugs, risks vs benefits, and past experiences. Mass shootings, gang wars, lethal accidents, freedom, and self-defense are all topics related to gun control. Equality, discrimination, racism, hate speech, and many more subtopics. A decidedly weird topic for two people who have absolutely no interest in beekeeping. Being able to fix small things around the house, dealing with bugs on your personal computer or even doing home renovation. The reality of archaeology vs its fictional portrayal, its importance, and pseudoarchaeology (unfounded claims made by people outside of the archaeological scientific community).

Not crazy in the sense that other topics on the list are, but rather in a “how do you wrap your head around that” kind of way. You could talk about your favorite styles, artists and pieces, or discuss the ethical, and legal aspects of street art. You could talk about things that you like to do after school or cool things you’ve done on the summer vacation when your family took a trip to a new place you’ve never visited before. You could talk about the teachers, the homework, ways to study more efficiently or your favorite subjects.

Steering clear of these sensitive topics will help you maintain positive and light-hearted conversations. You can go a little deeper with this article about other conversation derailers. Unexpected questions can be a fun and engaging way to start a conversation. Catch someone off guard with these unique conversation starters and watch the conversation unfold.

A simple framework, sometimes called FORD (Family, Occupation, Recreation, Dreams), can help you generate new angles when a conversation slows down. If you notice your answers trending toward short replies like “good” or “fine,” add one extra detail each time. That small habit gives the other person something to respond to and keeps the exchange moving. Family reunions are a great time to catch up with relatives and learn more about each other.

Depending on how much you like to plan ahead and what stage of life you’re in, this could be a way to fantasize or actually share solid plans. A topic that’s relevant for everyone, no matter what number you’re currently at. Sharing the dreams you had last night may feel pointless unless the dream was funny or was of strong emotional significance. As with dating stories, if you’re telling a story that might embarrass someone other than you, you should either make sure the person will remain anonymous or just keep it to yourself.

Simply describe your session in a prompt and get tailored interaction ideas. This is one of the best virtual icebreakers for large meetings or virtual events. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life. Beyond the daily logistics, asking deeper questions helps couples keep learning about each other and stay emotionally in sync.

Family get-togethers are a great way to catch up, share stories, and enjoy a little lively energy. Whether you’re chatting with relatives you see often or reconnecting with distant cousins, these openers invite stories, laughter, and shared memories. Whether you’re on a first date or chatting with someone you’re just getting to know, these starters are designed to spark connection, curiosity, and a little bit of fun. These openers are ideal for the start of an interview, whether you’re the interviewer or the candidate. They help you ease into the conversation with warmth and professionalism.

If you’re presenting in Google Slides or PowerPoint, you can also take advantage of our Slido AI features and let the AI engine generate quiz questions right from your presentation. Icebreaker games help energize people, drive lively discussions and encourage participants to be more active throughout the meeting. Virtual icebreakers are short, interactive activities that help people connect and participate in online or hybrid meetings. Asking deeper questions uncovers memories, lessons, and traditions that often get lost in the shuffle of daily updates.