Conversation Starter Topics - how to start a conversation

Having a conversation should always be fun. Think back to a time when you've been busy chatting to a friend and then suddenly realised you've been talking for 2 hours! It didn't seem like it - if you were asked how long you'd been talking you'd probably had said 20 minutes. This is how it should be.

So why do so many people get frightened at the thought of having to make conversation with someone?

Are they worried they won't have anything to talk about?

Are they worried they will run out of ideas half way through the conversation?

Conversation starter topics can be about anything - there is no right or wrong.

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Infact, if you're worried, why not make your own list of conversation starter topics?

Although we can converse about most things there are a few things we need to be wary of. For example don't start criticising people you know (or don't know) in front of other people. They will immediately wonder what you say about them to other people. Don't ask questions that are very personal and try not to talk about yourself the whole time.

If you disagree with what is being said - say so - but do it in a friendly way. You don't need to be argumentative to get your point across.

If you're worried about conversation starter topics read the newspapers, look at magazines, watch the television, listen to friends and work colleagues when they are talking. Perhaps you have an interesting job or hobby - practice a two sentence answer to the question 'what do you do?'

Instead of answering 'I work in a shop' say 'I work in the gift shop at Lulworth Castle'. People will immediately be interested in what you do.

You may be very shy but to be good at conversation you need to be able to listen and if you are very good at it you'll get away with saying very little. Take your lead from the other person, agree with them, smile at them, ask questions - not too personal - about what they are saying and they will feel they've engaged in a great conversation.

Conversing with strangers can be frightening but take a clue from your surroundings. If you're in someones home and there's a signed picture of Marilyn Monroe on the wall it's a safe bet to talk about Marilyn Monroe, even if you know very little about her. You could start by saying, 'I like your Marilyn Monroe picture, I've never seen any of her films but I understand they're good' or 'I don't know much about her but I love that white dress she wore'.

Try to avoid the use of favourite words. If you know you have a habit of saying 'like','okay,'alright' all the time and you're finding it very hard to stop this habit, try thinking the word instead of saying it - it really helps!

If you're at a formal event and you know the host, you can always start a conversation by asking the stranger if they work for the same company as the host.

If it's an event that you've never been to before, perhaps a conference about tourism, frozen food or dancing, don't be frightened to pick out a friendly looking person and introduce yourself, 'Hi, I'm Jon and I've never been to one of these before, I'm not quite sure what I'm supposed to do.' People, in general, love to help other people and at the same time it gives their ego a boost, they'll be pleased to fill you in on all the details.

This works at any type of event, it might be a children's tennis tournament, children's perty, at the local garage or a new evening class.

A great conversation starter topic is to ask someone what you need to do or where you should be. They'll either be very helpful or admit that they don't know either and you've immediately made a bond with someone.

If you have a happy friendly disposition people will be happy to converse with you.

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