Ten Conversation Helpers!

Hello good day and good morrow to you, my wonderful, wonderful readers. How are you all on this awesome day? Great I hope. I am doing alright, though I seemed to have loss the will to study. I think it’s because I am so worried about not getting a good enough grade. Today I would like to talk about something a bit different. Today I want to talk about different ways you can get a conversation flowing between you and someone you may have just met. Often and if you’re anything like me, after the initial greeting, “Hi, how are you? Fine, nice to meet you too” etc, you don’t really know what to say. You would like to get a conversation going but you just don’t know how. I mean what if you say something that offends that person, or maybe everything just gets awkward when you try to bring up something to talk about. Whatever it is, here are some ways that you can work through those awkward conversations;

1. Ask them about their hobbies: This may seem like a lame thing to do, but it’s a great way to find out if you and that person have anything in common or maybe they are into things that you’d always like to try but haven’t. It’s a great way to establish some common ground and things might flow easier that way.

2. Ask them about the type of movies they like: With the amount of movies and television shows out there, this will always be a quick conversation starter. Maybe they are into the same genres as you. Ask them to recommend some to you. Talk about how a movie plot worked or didn’t work, amazing or horrible actors, etc. Again this topic can stretch a conversation for days. Unless of course the person doesn’t watch television (it does happen).

3. Ask them about the last book they read: This is very similar as to asking them about movies. Sadly though it’s more likely to find someone who watches television than who reads. Still you can reference books that were made out of movies to them and recommend that they read it. It’s still a great topic to talk about though and a very excellent conversation starter.

4. Recommend something to them/Ask them to recommend something to you: This could be anything. For example ask them to recommend great places to visit, music to listen to etc. Most people jump at the chance to get someone into a band or artist that they like.

5. Complement them: A complement can go a long way. This is not only for a girl, even if you’re a guy trying to talk to another guy don’t be afraid to complement them. A simple, “Nice shoes, man. Where did you get them?” or “That’s a nice shirt, dude,” will do. Complements are a great way to get someone to open up to you, so use them.

6. Make them laugh: Laughter makes the heart grow fonder or at least according to the saying, but it does help put people in a friendlier mood. Making someone smile or laugh will help make them want to talk to you. Plus they would probably remember the person who made them break out in giggles and when they do, they’ll think of you positively.

7. Be yourself/Be confident: This is the most important thing. The best way to find someone to make a good friend and to start a conversation with is to be you. That way the conversation won’t seem forced and you don’t want that. You don’t want to have to pretend to be someone else every time you see that person or they avoid you because they think you’re not comfortable enough to be yourself around them. Introduce yourself and do it with confidence.

8. Ask for their advice: Asking for their honest opinion, will let them see that you value what they have to say or at least that you trust their advice. Be sincere though, if you are going to ask someone’s opinion let it be on something truthful, not on something you just made up, you don’t want a conversation to have negative start.

9. Be Honest: Whatever you do end up talking about be honest. I know everyone lies at one point or the other, but if you lie in a simple conversation who knows what else you’ll end up lying about. You don’t want the person thinking that you’re some sort of tool or douche bag. If you don’t want to talk about a particular topic or find something may be a bit too personal for your liking, let them know. Honesty is the best policy.

10. Ask them about their hometown (country if is a tourist or someone online): Asking them about what they like about where they live or what they like about where they are from, lets them know that you want to establish a better connection with you (not in a stalker-ish way though lol). Better yet, ask them what country they would like to go to and why or what they miss most about where they used to live. Simple things like those are great. Not all of these are about starting conversations but about keeping them going and some other important things that you should remember. I hope that they help you some way or the other. Either way I hope that eventually making friends or starting conversations comes easier to you. Comment and let me know how you start conversations and how you keep them going. Remember there are a vast number of conversation starters and a vast number of ways to keep that conversation going. These are just a few that I often use when I feel stuck in a conversation or don’t know what else to say. Words of advice for today: If someone you are talking to or trying to have a conversation with seems uninterested or only seems to talk about themselves without once asking you about you, then they are probably not the best person to have a conversation with. Move on to somebody who would help the conversation along and wouldn’t make you feel like you’re doing all the work. Tata for now, Laterz and Auf Wiedersehen!

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