When you don't have anything to say, start a conversation.
You are not the only one who has a hard time striking up a conversation when there is nothing to talk about.It can be kind of awkward for anyone, but the good news is that there are a lot of good conversation starters you can memorize so you have them in your back pocket the next time.We have put together some tips to help you start conversations with people, find things to talk about, and enjoy yourself in the process!
Step 1: Introduce yourself.
If you want to talk to a stranger, make eye contact and smile.Say hello and let them know you're here.The other person will be more willing to talk if you give them a handshake.If you ask for their name, you will get a lead-in to a longer conversation.You can say, "Hello, my name is John."If you just want to have a casual conversation, you don't need to introduce yourself.
Step 2: It's a good idea to invite others to join the conversation.
Mentioning something negative at the beginning of a conversation can make others hesitant to talk to you.While talking to the other person is more likely to open up and talk with you if you bring up something that you enjoy.You want to get them involved after you mention what you enjoy.If you are at a party, you may say, "This music is really cool!"Do you like the food?The answer to the question encourages the other person to start a conversation.Taking the lead and opening yourself up to the other person can help put them at ease.
Step 3: A compliment to the person will make them feel comfortable talking with each other.
When giving a compliment, talk about the person's personality or something they're wearing.If the person feels like you aren't telling the truth, they may not talk to you.If they don't respond, follow up with a question.You could say, "That dress looks really nice."You have a good sense of style, where did you get it?Don't bring up someone's appearance since it could make them uncomfortable and they may not respond well to it.
Step 4: If you can't think of anything else, mention your surroundings.
If you can't think of a way to transition into a conversation, look around and observe.It can be anything from the weather to an event.If you stay positive in your conversation, the other person will be more interested in talking to you.You can say, "This is my first time at this cafe."I wish the sun would come out today.Have a sense of humor when you are having a conversation.It will make others feel engaged.
Step 5: You can relate to the person if you ask what they do for work or school.
Mention work or school to the person you want to talk to.Ask them what their job is, how long they have been there, and if they've done anything interesting recently.Ask them what they want to do when they graduate from school.If they ask about your education, be sure to answer any questions.Even if it doesn't sound exciting to you, show genuine interest in their job.It is an opportunity to learn more about the person.Asking people questions about themselves can help them feel respected.
Step 6: Discuss hobbies that you like to learn more about the person.
Ask the person what they like to do outside of work and school, and note any areas that sound interesting to you.What is their favorite thing about the hobby?Mention any hobbies that are similar to theirs first so you can have a conversation about them.If you want to try one of their hobbies, ask them how to get involved.You could say, "Oh I've never tried woodworking."What is the best thing to do for a beginner?You can have a good back-and-forth dialogue if you ask questions about what the other person enjoys.
Step 7: If you want to talk about pop culture, discuss movies, TV shows, and books.
Discuss recent films or music that you have watched or listened to with the other person in order to gauge their interest.Let them explain why they like it by asking what content they have been enjoying recently.If you have heard or seen the same thing, you should have a discussion about it and talk about your opinions.You could ask, "Have you seen the newest Star Wars movie?"What music do you like to listen to?If you disagree with their opinion, say something like, "Oh, I never thought of it that way, but I understand your point." That way the other person will still feel engaged with the subject.If you don't know what the other person is talking about, ask them to clarify or explain.It is okay to say "I don't know" if you are not familiar with the media they are discussing.
Step 8: If you want to talk to the other person, talk about your past experiences.
You can ask the other person what they want to do in the future if you feel comfortable with them.Ask them about the funny things that happened to them, what their family is like, and their goals.You can connect with the other person by sharing your own experiences.You could say, "Where are you originally from?"It's odd if you ask too much about their personal life when you meet them.If you feel comfortable responding to the deeper questions, you should ask them.It may make them uncomfortable and want to leave the conversation if you try to impress them.
Step 9: Asking for the person's opinion on current events is a good way to engage them.
Mention current events in the news or on social media to someone else.If you have at least 1-2 events that happened in the past week ready, you can pull them out in your conversation.Ask them how they feel about the news and see what they think.They may ask you the same thing, so be prepared to discuss your opinions as well.Did you hear about the new music app?I saw it on the news.
Step 10: Listen.
Put your phone down and concentrate on the other person.You should keep eye contact with them so you can listen to what they are saying.Stay involved in the conversation by asking them questions based on what they say.They should briefly restate something they said so you know you're paying attention to them.If they mentioned getting a new vehicle, you can ask, "What kind of car did you end up getting?"Try not to think of other things while the other person is talking since you may not respond naturally.
Step 11: The phrase, "That reminds me of," can be used to transition to a new topic.
Before talking about your topic, use the phrase, "That reminds of..." if the other person mentions something that you can relate to.You can go between multiple topics in a natural way without any awkwardness.It is easier for the other person to follow along if the topics are related.If they mention the nice weather, you can say something like, "That reminds me of the gorgeous weather in Hawaii when I visited."Have you been there?
Step 12: Keep the conversation exciting by saying things when they come to your mind.
Bring it up and ask the other person about it if you have something in your head.It is rude to interrupt the other person while they are talking.The other person may not want to continue talking if the topic is something that makes them uncomfortable.You could say, "I just remembered a funny news story I found online."The person may not be as receptive of a random topic if you haven't already spoken to them.