Home / Making Friends / How to Start a Conversation
Say Something Great, Even When You Have No Idea What to Say.
40 lessons · 6 themes · practical tips in every lesson
Openers, questions and easy habits that make talking to anyone feel natural.
THEME 1 · 7 LESSONS
Conversation Starters
Never run out of things to say.
LESSON 01
Ten Easy Openers for Any Situation
28 Tips
LESSON 02
The Weather, the Venue, the Day
30 Tips
LESSON 03
Ask What Brought Them Here
28 Tips
LESSON 04
The Question That Beats How Are You
LESSON 05
Use Your Surroundings
30 Tips
LESSON 06
Share a Small Observation
29 Tips
LESSON 07
Start With a Compliment on Choice, Not Looks
28 Tips
THEME 2 · 7 LESSONS
Questions That Open People Up
Ask better, hear better.
LESSON 08
Open Questions vs Closed Questions
28 Tips
LESSON 09
The Follow-Up Question Habit
31 Tips
LESSON 10
Ask About Their Story, Not Their Job Title
30 Tips
LESSON 11
Ask About Their Weekend Plans
30 Tips
LESSON 12
Ask Their Opinion on Something Light
30 Tips
LESSON 13
Ask About Passions and Hobbies
30 Tips
LESSON 14
Questions to Avoid on a First Chat
30 Tips
THEME 3 · 7 LESSONS
Keep It Flowing
Move from small talk to real talk.
LESSON 15
The Ping-Pong Rule of Conversation
30 Tips
LESSON 16
Give Back as Much as You Ask
30 Tips
LESSON 17
Find Common Ground Fast
30 Tips
LESSON 18
Use Their Last Words to Continue
30 Tips
LESSON 19
Share Opinions and Stories Gently
30 Tips
LESSON 20
Move From Small Talk to Meaningful Talk
29 Tips
LESSON 21
Add a Little Humour
29 Tips
THEME 4 · 7 LESSONS
Listen to Connect
The skill that makes people love talking to you.
LESSON 22
Listen With the Goal of Understanding
30 Tips
LESSON 23
Put the Phone Away Completely
30 Tips
LESSON 24
Nod, Smile and Say Mm-Hm
29 Tips
LESSON 25
Reflect Back What You Heard
29 Tips
LESSON 26
Do Not Plan Your Reply Early
30 Tips
LESSON 27
Let Silence Breathe
29 Tips
LESSON 28
Remember Details and Bring Them Back
29 Tips
THEME 5 · 6 LESSONS
Handle Tricky Moments
Silence, blanks and awkwardness.
LESSON 29
What to Do When the Chat Dies
30 Tips
LESSON 30
When Your Mind Goes Blank
30 Tips
LESSON 31
When You Disagree
29 Tips
LESSON 32
When They Are Shy Too
29 Tips
LESSON 33
When Someone Talks Too Much
29 Tips
LESSON 34
Recover From a Silly Comment
30 Tips
THEME 6 · 6 LESSONS
Start and End Gracefully
Entry and exit lines for every situation.
LESSON 35
Join a Group Conversation Smoothly
30 Tips
LESSON 36
Start a Chat With a Colleague
31 Tips
LESSON 37
Start a Chat With a Neighbour
28 Tips
LESSON 38
Exit Lines That Never Offend
29 Tips
LESSON 39
Say Goodbye and Plan to Meet Again
29 Tips
LESSON 40
Your Daily Conversation Practice
30 Tips
Ideas in this topic come from
- The Fine Art of Small Talk (Debra Fine)
- How to Talk to Anyone (Leil Lowndes)
- We Need to Talk (Celeste Headlee)
- Talk (Alison Wood Brooks)
- How to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie)
Tips are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.
