Super Fast, Easy and Quick Conversation Starters

Have you ever had that awkward moment when you meet someone and have absolutely NO IDEA what to say?  People tell me it’s a fairly common event.

Considering the fact I have carried on a full conversation with a Hungarian taxi driver (WHO SPOKE NO ENGLISH) and I’ve never let a little thing like, I don’t know, LANGUAGE, stop me from having a conversation, I figure I have some suggestions to share on this topic.

So here you go.  Super Fast, Easy and Quick ways to get a conversation started:

#1 Smile and introduce yourself.  This is the easiest thing to do.  Follow this pattern exactly.  Smile while you look at their face.  Extend your right hand and say “Hi, I’m Christy Largent (although it works better if you say your own name), what’s your name?”  Keep smiling and stop talking.  I promise you, this magic sentence will get the conversation started.

#2  Start asking questions.  Once they tell you their name, use one of the following words to start your question.  How.  Where. What. When.

For example, (you guys keep telling me you want scripts, so here are a few for you):

• How do you know our host?
• Where do you live?
• How long have you lived there?
• What kind of work do you do?
• How long have you worked there?
• Where did you get that great tan?

Then, continue with some more great follow up questions.  When they say something like, “I just got back from a trip to Hawaii,” don’t fall into the “me too” trap!  Instead, ask open ended questions like, “What was your favorite part?” or “Who all went with you on the trip?” or “Where did you stay?” or “Which island was your favorite?”  These open-ended questions will keep the attention on them, and let them keep talking.

I think you’re getting the idea.  Guess what the conversation is all about?  Yes!  That’s right!  It’s all about THEM.  Not YOU!  It’s them.  Remember to avoid the temptation of switching the conversation back around to yourself.  That’s a guaranteed conversation stopper.  Believe me, I’ve tried.

These are my 2 best tips and they will almost always  get you through the awkward part so that other conversation can then naturally flow.

In the interest of fair disclosure though, sometimes people are actually pretty boring.  You might find yourself in a jam for something to talk about.  I found that out this past week at a luncheon event.  I was stuck sitting next to the most narrow (and foul-mouthed) woman I’d met in a long time.  When the conversation digressed to the type of allergy medicine she found worked best, I knew it was time for tip #3…

Tip #3  Look for a way to escape.  Fast!  Her profanity laced observation of springtime in Northern California was my cue to suddenly remember I was dying for dessert. You can copy the words I used next.  They were surprisingly effective. “It’s been so nice meeting you, I think I’m going to head over to the dessert bar.”  And then you can escape.

Question:  Do you find it hard to meet new people?  What conversation starters work best for you?  What have you tried that doesn’t work?  Please leave your answers below.  (P.S. If you want to get a more complete of ideas for improving your conversations, be sure to sign up for updates and you’ll get a free guide with 10 Tips to help you.)