What is the key to great conversation starters?

Conversations starters can be hard to find under pressure. We’ve all felt the social anxiety of trying to start a conversation in a room full of strangers. So why can an interesting and meaningful conversation starter be so tricky come up with?

Many social gatherings can leave us feeling tired because everyone sticks to the same safe subjects like the weather in England, or other pleasantries that are frankly boring. Let’s face it, much small talk can feel awkward and even uncomfortable when it feels like the conversation is hard work or we just can’t figure out what to say.

In this article, discover 30 conversations starters to help you develop connections with family, friends and even strangers that will feel meaningful and deeply satisfying.

Meaningful conversations create meaningful connections

Meaningful conversations of all sorts help us discover something new and valuable about ourselves and the person or persons we’re speaking with. When this occurs, we often experience a deep level of satisfaction feeling connected and understood.

But how can we make this happen more often?

So many of us can really use some help with it comes to connecting with:

those we live with and love,
those we see for family gatherings,
as well as all the strangers who may under the right circumstances become new friends and more.

If you’re off to a gathering and would like a few ideas on how to connect with others in meaningful ways read on.

10 family Christmas questions to change the usual rhetoric

Don’t know about you but one of the things I’ve noticed about family gatherings is that often the conversation tends to circle back to the same old topics and much repetition of stories and facts we already know. A few more unusual questions can help change this as well as help you get to know your kin in a new way.

What’s the best Christmas present you have ever been given and how come? And, what’s on your wish list?
If you could go back in history and experience Christmas at any time, where would you pick to go?
What does Christmas mean for you?
What’s your best memory of the holidays as a child?
Have you ever had a Christmas that turned out somewhat different to what you expected, and what happened?
How do you feel about Christams presents? Should we still bother and why?
How old were you when you discovered who Santa really was?
Have you ever dressed as Santa and if so what happened?
Platic tree or real Christmas tree? Where do you stand and why?
What’s you favorite Chrismas dish and what’s the story behind it?

We wish you great fun connecting with your loved ones. And if you get caught in a story that you heard before, invite your family to improvise by inviting them to consider what would happen if something changed. You can change the historical time, the weather, how the person looked or how they were dressed, or by imagining someone else being there. Have fun!

10 conversation starters for a festive party

Are you off to another social or festive gathering where you’re likely going to find many strangers? Social events can feel stressful even if deep inside we know everyone else is in a similar situation.

These conversations starters have helped me manage a number of social gatherings and walk away from them often discovering new friends.

What are your top 3 feel good sources?
What’s the best book you read / film you saw / record you heard in the last year?
Where did you go on your last holiday and what made you choose it?
If you could have anyone advise you on anything, who would you pick and why?
What the funniest or wierd thing that’s ever happened to you?
Do you believe in luck? How come?
If you had to hide someone for a day where would you go?
If you could do anything else than what you currently do for a living, what would you choose and why?
When was the last time you had a day to yourself and what did you do?
If you were to give someone else one piece of advice for life, what would you give them?

There is really no end to interesting questions to ask others in social settings. Social gatherings are great opportunity to learn new things about the world, other people and yourself. The answers to any of the above questions and many others like them will no doubt help you enjoy any party.

10 interesting questions to start a conversation on a first date

First dates can be nervewracking. If you’ve been wondering what to say or how to get that initial conversation off to a good start, the questions below may help.

If you won the lottery tomorrow what would you do?
Tell me about your last holiday?
What’s your favourite cuisine?
What do you like/dislike about your job?
Can you tell me something about your childhood?
If you could have a superpower what would it be?
Which dead person would you most like to meet and why?
What do you do when you feel sad?
If you had a year off what would you do with it?
What does romance mean to you?

There are so many things to ask a stranger from the most profound to the everyday mundane. Remember to take is slow, listen to the answers given and enjoy finding out what you have in common.

Creating meaningful connections enriches your life

We’re on this earth to have experiences. Make each of your interactions as rich as possible and you will pack more meaningful moments into each day of your life.

“Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.”
– Paulo Coelho

If you’re interested in deepening your emotional connection with those around you, we have a two free downloads that will guide your thinking and help you truly, deeply connect with others.