Conversation Starters

LegacyUser

Ok, I'm sure this is a very frequent topic here.

I'm a fairly quiet guy, keep to myself and a few good friends.
Whenever I meet someone new I don't know what to say to them. I know what to say to my friends because I know where their interests lie, but for stranger I have no idea. I need help figuring out what to say to complete strangers.
I know it's probably a case of practising, but I don't know where to begin.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Black Swan

Be yourself. Don't use one-liners. Speak to common interests.

Jack B. Badd

I usually find "Hi, how are we?" or "Any scandal?" seems to start things off well. Work from there. Of course, if they turn around and just say "Fine" or "Nothing" you may as well find someone else to talk to

Nuttzz

please love to talk about themselves, ask them general questions about them like where they are from, what they do and the old reliable, do you come here often!!! ok so the last one is a joke but you get the idea!

Nalz

Jack B. Badd wrote:

I usually find "Hi, how are we?" or "Any scandal?" seems to start things off well. Work from there. Of course, if they turn around and just say "Fine" or "Nothing" you may as well find someone else to talk to

ya, the modern version of how was your day and anything exciting happen breaks the ice....if they say "no,how about you?", best approach is to tell the truth and be yourself when answering.

LegacyUser

Im like that myself but it doesn't bother me. I'm not one for small talk. Some people recognise and even, shock horror, appreciate this. Thats why you have close friends instead of "casual aquaintances". Wouldn't go the other way myself. Be careful what you wish for and all that... Just an alternative perspective.

Heisenberg.

This post has been deleted.

greenkittie

Just say hi, ask them how they are, whats thier name, where they are from, general questions and depending on how they respond the conversation will kick off or not.

Jumpy

Unsocial wrote:

Ok, I'm sure this is a very frequent topic here.

I'm a fairly quiet guy, keep to myself and a few good friends.
Whenever I meet someone new I don't know what to say to them. I know what to say to my friends because I know where their interests lie, but for stranger I have no idea. I need help figuring out what to say to complete strangers.
I know it's probably a case of practising, but I don't know where to begin.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Yeah I am pretty much the same here. Although I have had no problem in any other countries, I think its because Irish women either accept you or harshly reject you, there isnt any in between, so its easier to not start up a conversation at all just in case.

MW

Jumpy wrote:

Yeah I am pretty much the same here. Although I have had no problem in any other countries, I think its because Irish women either accept you or harshly reject you, there isnt any in between, so its easier to not start up a conversation at all just in case.

That's slightly harsh on us Irish Girls Jumpy. I personally love meeting new people, there's no need to be nervous talking to anyone. If they don't accept you for who you are then they aren't worth talking too in the first place, if you think you made a t*t out of yourself, don't worry about it, just move on. Don't sweat the small stuff. People are living such different lives nowadays with work etc there's loads to talk about, honestly. We're not all bad

6th

Are you talking about just talking to strangers, making new friends or as some here seem to think are you talking about chatting people up?

greenkittie

I'm fine chatting to people in the uk and ireland but when it comes to chatting to people in differnt countrys i just dont know what to say.

Jumpy

MW wrote:

That's slightly harsh on us Irish Girls Jumpy. I personally love meeting new people, there's no need to be nervous talking to anyone. If they don't accept you for who you are then they aren't worth talking too in the first place, if you think you made a t*t out of yourself, don't worry about it, just move on. Don't sweat the small stuff. People are living such different lives nowadays with work etc there's loads to talk about, honestly. We're not all bad

Sorry, I should have mentioned I was referring to nightclubs.

DirkVoodoo

Be yourself, especially in front of women, they have a sixth sense for bull**** and nervousness (ok, 7 senses?).

If you think too hard about what to say first, you will trip on your tongue, blush and look a bit foolish, just talk to someone the way you would talk to someone you've known for years.

LegacyUser

6th wrote:

Are you talking about just talking to strangers, making new friends or as some here seem to think are you talking about chatting people up?

I'm talking about everyone. Anyone I don't know I have no idea what to say to

sonic juice

just say hey you like life?I like life too!be yourself.

Lust4Life

Always start with questions.
"What do you think of this band?"
"Isn't this food good? How can I get a meal like this every day?"
"Do these pants make me look fat?"
"I'm surprised I don't know more people here. Who all do you know here?"
"What's the background story on that one?" (Pick out a person in the crowd)
"Have you seen my friend? He seems to have vanished."

It will prompt the person to respond much better than...
"This band ROCKS!"
"I could eat all of this food in one sitting!"
"I don't know anybody here."
"That tramp in the corner really needs to get a new hobby."
"My friend disappeared on me."

Get it? Maybe a bit of practice on your friends would help.