You guys have any conversation starters to offer a poor lemming?
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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.
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.
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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
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.
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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.
Would you rather talk to an Australopithecus or a whale?
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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.
wrote last edited by [email protected]Here's your cliché small talk starter: the weather.
- Nice weather out today, huh? (Sprinkle sarcasm or adjust to match actual weather conditions)
UK version:
- Gloomy weather as usual, innit?
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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.
wrote last edited by [email protected]When making small talk, ask for opinions farther down someone's list. Like, "What was the third best trip you ever took?" It catches people off guard in a good way, and garners better answers than asking for their top choice.
You can do it the other way, too. Saying, "that was the fourth funniest thing I have ever seen" immediately prompts questions from your audience. Just be ready with a good follow-up story if you try this.
Another option is to learn little party tricks that don't require much talking. Learn to fold simple origami, or some coin tricks, or whatever. When you're with a group of people and you don't know what to add to the conversation, you quietly do your thing until someone notices. Suddenly a banal moment becomes a memorable moment and you didn't have to say anything.
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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.
Eat any good books lately?
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Wut was Wenguh finkin sendin Walcaw in!?
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The thing about Arsenal is they're always trying to walk it in.
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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.
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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.
wrote last edited by [email protected]Ask them if they knew that g is roughly pi^2, and ask them if they knew it's not a coincidence
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Hello fellow humans! Have you consumed any good carbohydrates today?
wrote last edited by [email protected]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.
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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.
Two options: 1) (If you're looking to make friends) What's the biggest animal you think you could take in a fight? 2) (If you're looking for a relationship) What's your favorite type of flower? You'd be surprised how many men would respond to 2
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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.
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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.
Besides the top answer of situational openers, sometimes people ask what you're up to or what you've done. I would always keep in mind three things that I've done recently or even interesting observations I've had in last week or so.
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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.
Can you hear that?
What?
Sounds almost like... Ice breaking.
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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.
"Don't mean to brag, but I just shit myself."
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Two options: 1) (If you're looking to make friends) What's the biggest animal you think you could take in a fight? 2) (If you're looking for a relationship) What's your favorite type of flower? You'd be surprised how many men would respond to 2
Puppy - Poppy
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Here's your cliché small talk starter: the weather.
- Nice weather out today, huh? (Sprinkle sarcasm or adjust to match actual weather conditions)
UK version:
- Gloomy weather as usual, innit?
wrote last edited by [email protected]Sarry, wat was 'at Bruv?
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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
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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.
"Can I offer you an egg in these trying times?"
