5 Conversation Starters That Actually Work
Forget "how's the weather." These openers spark real conversations every time.
We've all been there — standing in a circle at a party, drink in hand, brain completely empty. "So… what do you do?" lands with a thud. The other person gives a polite one-liner and suddenly you're both scanning the room for an exit.
The problem isn't you. It's the question. Most default conversation starters are closed-ended, predictable, and boring. They signal small talk, and small talk is where connections go to die.
Here are five openers that actually get people talking:
1. "What's something you changed your mind about recently?" This one works because it's unexpected. People rarely get asked to reflect, and when they do, they light up. You skip surface-level chitchat and land somewhere real within seconds.
2. "What's the best thing that happened to you this week?" Positive, specific, and easy to answer. It gives people permission to share a win — something most of us don't do enough. Bonus: the energy of the conversation immediately goes up.
3. "If you didn't have to worry about money, what would you spend your time doing?" This reveals what someone actually cares about. It's a dream question disguised as a casual one, and it almost always leads to a longer, more interesting exchange.
4. "What's a rabbit hole you've gone down lately?" Everyone has one — a weird Wikipedia binge, a new hobby, a podcast they can't stop talking about. This question says "tell me about your obsessions" without being intense about it.
5. "What's a hill you'd die on?" Light, playful, and guaranteed to spark debate. Whether it's "pineapple belongs on pizza" or "the Oxford comma is non-negotiable," you'll learn more about someone from their hot takes than from ten minutes of small talk.
The pattern behind all of these: they're open-ended, slightly unexpected, and invite storytelling. They work because they treat the other person as interesting — which, let's be honest, most people are once you get past the surface.
Next time you're stuck, skip the script. Ask something that makes people think. That's where real conversation starts.