The semester is starting back up and i’m terrible at speaking words.
This doesn’t have to be aimed at college students, just conversation starters anywhere would be very much appreciated.
Some classics™ include
- do you have a moment to talk about Jesus Christ?
- do you wanna get paid to see the world? Just sign here!
But as someone who went to high school and, until the final year, did not know the names of all classmates, it’s fair to say that I didn’t really care about that at all. Maybe I’m just autistic lol
Just talk about the subject you’re getting a Bachelor‘s degree in and go on from there.
Does this rag smell like chloroform to you?
Not much room for dialogue from there.
Hello fellow humans! Have you consumed any good carbohydrates today?
Greetings fellow humans! have you consumed your daily complex carbohydrates and proteins today, and consumed a liquid with a organic suspension of the extracts from the plants coffea arabica.
I expect to able to function within normal parameters once i have consumed the usual quantity. Until then I would appreciate being left to my own devices.
Talk about what you’re interested in. Or let the other person talk about what they’re interested in and be engaged in the conversation. Either way you build report
Rapport, not report btw
“Have you noticed gum has gotten mintier lately?”
You just reignited an ancient synapse. I’m now forced to use it at work on Monday.
Situational commentary is a great way to start. Look around, comment on what you see to your soon-to-be conversation partner. Especially easy if anything out of the ordinary happens: thunderstorm, someone busking, squirrel appears etc. Make a comment, ask a question, go with the flow
Correct answer.
Did you see that ludicrous display last night?
The thing about Arsenal is they’re always trying to walk it in.
Wut was Wenguh finkin sendin Walcaw in!?
For people I know a little I usually talk about something recent that happened in one of our common areas of interest (e.g. new game releases, what we played recently, what annoyed or hyped me, books we bought and / or read, …).
Another friend of mine became a parent two years ago and this and the house they are currently building are actually the only things she can talk about anymore, so I adapted and usually start with something one of my niblings did recently (e.g. my 3 year old niece told everyone she can’t wait to finally grow up and can do what she wants like going alone to school, eat fries and dance! All very nice life goals IMHO and a good convo starter :D)
For people I know less I try to find something that relates to the current situation (like how I experience things, or what they are currently doing, …). I feel like it’s important, that you are genuine as in you are actually interested in what you are talking about and what the other person has to say.
E.g. after class you can discuss your perception of the lesson (that was loooong / interesting / difficult / …) and ask them how they perceived it. Or if you meet someone for the first time you can ask how they decided to go to this class and continue from there.
Fun fact: I found my friends at uni (still friends > 10 years later) by befriending the weirdest guy in the group and then being introduced by him. He loved to talk about toilets, maths and how he felt like the Mensa was his new mom. He was super smart and weird and actually everyone liked him because he was honest and real. I used this as a cue to overshare all my weird family stories in that group (not the best conversation starters), I guess the shock value still worked :D
In the end it feels way more difficult, than it is. I still sweat like I’ve walked a marathon every time. The best tip is that you’re genuinely interested in what the other person has to say. If something really doesn’t interest you, engage in another topic or ask friendly for more insights, maybe you’ll learn something new. Stay friendly and appreciate the time, the person is spending with you and you’re good!
Thanks, this is a really insightful response.
Beautiful city we live in… Have any good advice on interesting places to visit or things to do that are off the beaten path?
You might get some great places to visit you might not know of and you might start up a nice conversation with someone interesting. Don’t be afraid to ask followup questions to engage in more conversation.
Relax, smile and be yourself! Most importantly have fun with it.
Fashion compliments if you see someone wearing a cool shirt or a good looking style, makes the day of the person, even if no followup conversation happens! (i got a compliment regarding a shirt once, and i am still thinking back to that - it’s been years)
Just check yourself against accidental sexism/intimidation, because I’m sure no lemming would do it on purpose, and rephrase if necessary.
‘That’s the third best t-shift I’ve ever seen! I MUST have it!’, or what how could you picture if being said wrong?
“I must have it!” or “where can I get one?” is a good addition, makes it clear you’re paying attention to the shirt, not what’s under it.
(Edit to add, the same words can come off different depending on who’s talking to whom. For example, a guy compliments another guy’s new shoes and adds, “I bet you can run really fast in those!” It’s a funny nostalgic meme reference. The same sentence to a random girl, she’s starting to wonder if she’ll be running from him…)
I know you’re following up on previous comments but to me, adding “third” feels a bit clickbaity, and also a bit backhanded, like you’re starting an argument rather than a conversation.
What that bussy do?
Would you rather talk to an Australopithecus or a whale?
One time conversation or just chatting whenever?
Was the Australopithicus revived in our time, or am I transported to its time?
You said "talk to ". Will either of them intelligibly respond?
You have a universal translator. They’re as intelligent as they are/were in real life
I started training myself by asking people for the time. I don’t think that works so well now that everybody has a phone on them all of the time. I would also compliment people on something they were wearing, for example. Everybody loves that.
It’s easier to start with something small like that. Then once you’re comfortable asking and interacting with someone about that simple question, you can go for something more open ended.
Do you want or actually need to talk? I know that places like the US love their smalltalk, but a lot of the world is perfectly content to sit in silence.
If you need or want to for some reason, it seems like you got some good info in other comments. Do read the room for receptiveness, I guess. Realize that, as with any skill, it takes practice and building.
Our climate is getting so bad it’s becoming a very good conversation starters. Hehe, a bit dark but it’s actually true. Don’t know how to start a conversation? Just ask about yesterday’s weather and comment about how hot or cold yesterday was. Or maybe ask about how it’s getting hotter or getting colder each year.
