37 conversation starters that make you instantly interesting

“This can be as simple as waiting in line at the post office and saying something like, ‘You ready to go rogue? Let’s start another line so we can get this thing going.’” – Shawn Schweier, relationship coach and founder of Alter Shift

Don’t really start a new line though. Here are 50 little etiquette rules you should always follow. 

“Asking a question with a little humour is a great move. Say you’re in a grocery store, ask, ‘This is very important: What is the best apple ever? Granny Smith or Red Delicious?’” –Suzanne Casamento

“My favourite conversation topics are something relevant yet funny. My favourite at an event is ‘I just came here for the free Swedish meatballs, why are you here?’ If I’m meeting someone new, I like ‘You look really familiar. Did you and I attend the same private dinner at the White House with the Queen of England?’” – Nicole DiCristofaro, dating and relationship coach at InvitingRight.com

Had you actually attended a private dinner with the Queen of England, here are 9 foods Queen Elizabeth II would never eat.

“A self-deprecating line is a good opening when someone is engaging in a positive type task and you comment on it. For instance, ‘I’m jealous that you are so good at that!’. This can actually show confidence because you are not trying to appear like you’re awesome.” —Paul DePompo

“My favourite conversation topic is to say, ‘OK, I’ve got a dumb joke, not a good joke, just a dumb joke for you.’ People are usually more receptive to dumb jokes because it doesn’t require much effort and they don’t have to worry about not getting it. Need an example? What does a fish say when it runs into a concrete wall? Dam!” —Hunt Etheridge, dating and relationship expert.

“Most people enjoy trivia, facts and riddles and they’re also a good way to keep the conversation going over an extended period of time. You can drop in and ask someone ‘What are the only 3 countries that start with J?’ [Jordan, Japan, Jamaica] or ‘What starts with “e” and ends with “e” and contains only 1 letter?’ [envelope]. Then circle back with them later to see if they have an answer. They’ll be thinking about it – and you – all evening.” —Hunt Etheridge

Here are 19 trivia questions only geniuses will get right. 

“Try using a light philosophical twist to an opening such as when you see someone enjoying a coffee you can highlight the beauty in the moment. Say something like, ‘Isn’t this what’s it’s all about?’ This is good for getting to see if this person is open and up for talking without making it seem like you are trying too hard.” —Paul DePompo

“Asking someone ‘Where are you from?’ is great because it’s a simple and natural way to begin to ask someone about themselves. Any question that is open-ended will work because everyone has a different answer and there is no right or wrong answer. It can become exciting if you both realise you are from the same place or like the same things.” —Simon Marcel Badinter, radio personality and relationship expert

“One of the best ways to start a conversation is to ask a question, and questions germane to the situation are best. For example, if you’re at an event, ask ‘Have you heard this speaker, band or author before?’” —Dawn Maslar

“No one knows more about starting conversations and conversation topics than screenwriters. That’s what we do: throw people together, usually strangers, and find a way to get them talking. So I can tell you the best conversation openers in movies are ones that ask a question, tease, and reveal some amazing (or weird) truth about yourself. My favourites are ‘I’m working on something that’ll change the world and human life as we know it!’ from The Fly and ‘Garbage. All I’ve been thinkin’ about all week is garbage’ from Sex, Lies and Videotape.” —Murray Suid, screenwriter and co-founder of MobileMovieMaking.com

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