CONVERSATION STARTERS How To Break the Ice – Even If You’re Naturally Shy! We’ve all been there – you’re at a social, work, school or family-related gathering and are surrounded by people you don’t know that well, and maybe you don’t even want to be there. Well, chances are the other people are having the same feelings you are, so why not be the one who makes it easier for the others by chatting them up to help pass the time? These pointers provide simple subjects for small talk with just about anyone, and here’s a quick tip: if you ask a lot of open-ended questions you will always make the other person feel interesting, which is your true goal! So how else can you break the ice and get a conversation started?

If you are at a party or social gathering it is always a great idea to ask others how they might know the host or hostess. You can also ask their opinion about the food, décor, or landscaping at the venue because when asked, people feel important, and everyone wants to chat with someone who acts interested in them! If you’ve met the person before, it is appropriate to ask them what they might be doing at work, or what activities they are involved in after school or work. Once again, this shows your interest in them and makes them feel at ease.

When talking with a person that you seem to click with and want to get to know better, as the conversation moves along and they discuss different subjects, ask yourself what you know about the subject or what you might want to know. If you know almost nothing, be honest! This is a great time to turn the conversation back to the other person and let them impress you with their knowledge.

Here is a list of great conversation starters. These are probing questions that you can ask just about anyone: What was your favorite Halloween costume? What is your favorite type of music? What’s the most confusing thing about the opposite sex? What are you favorite TV shows or movies? What is your opinion of the venue? Do you have any tattoos or body piercings? What are your hobbies? What is your favorite food? Do you prefer to stay at home or travel for holiday? Who is your favorite NASCAR driver (baseball, football, hockey, soccer player)?

Another way to have a good conversation is to remember past ones that were not so successful and try not to repeat those talking points, voice tones, jokes, or what ever else you might have said that turned the tide on your little chat. Be sensitive to your chat mates and take cues from their body language and comments. If comes down to it, you can always talk about the weather (but I would save that as a last resort topic).

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Article Written By: Laura Miller; Laura is a writer and conversationalist in a big city in the South.