Starting off a Conversation with total strangers and acquaintances can be very awkward. Since you don’t know or it may seem you don’t have much in common. Though such interactions are important as those very people play an important role in your personal life from dating to talking to family members and your professional life that of the interview panel, colleagues and seniors. So to help break-the-ice and fill in those gaps of silences use these conversation starters to ease in for an enjoyable and successful conversation.

1. Ask About the Basics

An easy way to begin is to start off with basic small talk questions. Such topics are light hearted and generic that almost anyone can make an answer them. These questions can be based on the weather, sport and current affairs. Though do keep in mind who you are talking to as any one of these topics can still disinterest people. Thus, take heed in their reactions, if they don’t reply with enthusiasm that is your signal to change your direction of the conversation.

2. Use In-Depth Questions

When you feel much comfortable you can then strength the rapport. This acronym called “FORM is a guide formulated by Robert Adams. So you are able to cover all conversations under the moon. And the best thing is that they are seemingly basic yet still appropriate and polite.

F-amily: “How is your family?”, “Do you have siblings?”, “Are you from here?”.

O-ccupation: “How do you spend your time?” (Good questions if they don’t have a profession), “What type of work are you in?” , “How do you find your work?”

R-ecreational: Under this topic you can ask things based on their hobbies and interests. Such as, “What do you do for fun?” , “What’s your favorite food?” , “What do you like watching on TV?”

M-otivation: “If you were free, what would you do?” , “If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?”

You don’t need to stick to these categories there are alternatives for each letter. For example “M” can also be used for media and money. Personalize it according to how it suits the conversation at hand.

3. Use your Surroundings

Making statements and questions about the surrounding you both are in at the time is another safe option for making a start in conversation. Another thing too is that you both are sharing the same experience that doesn’t leave room for any guess work that asking ‘FORM’ questions may do. So take a look around and create statements like “The food was lovely” or “It’s quite busy today. And questions such as “it’s a nice arrangement, isn’t it?” or “How do you know the bride or groom?”. You can see these statements and questions do depend on the situation.

4. Give a Genuine Compliment

For the most part we all love receiving a compliment. It feels great to be acknowledged for our beauty, wise choices and efforts. So when you get the chance, briefly look at them and notice something you like about their appearance. It could be there outfit, hairstyle, and accessories whatever it may be. However, it’s important here that the compliment is genuine. Otherwise they may suspect you are just saying it as a formality or sucking up to them. And not awkward and creepy.

5. Ask for Help or Advice

In asking for help and advice people feel proud that they are able to offer their expertise. Thus, in many cases, the will share so gladly. Use such questions like “I was working on XYZ, what do you think I should do?” or “Tell me how you make XYZ?”. Conversation wise, because they know something well the conversation can last for some time without a chance for silence. This is time enough to learn something new and open way for new topics to talk about.

And there you have it, 5 conversation starters widely used as a basis to form engaging conversation and meaningful friendships and networks.

If you have any questions you can leave a comment below or message me on Facebook – www.facebook.com/pdhotspot

Until next time,

Jasmine.

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Communication

5 Conversation Starters to Connect with Anyone