50 Conversation Starters That End Awkward Silences Fast

by with No Comment Dating Tips, Guide and Advice

Key Takeaways

  • Conversation lulls are natural and happen more frequently than we might realize.
  • Keeping a conversation going can be tricky. Having a few prompts up your sleeve can help you keep things fresh and interesting.
  • With the right questions and a little bit of enthusiasm, you can turn an awkward conversation into an opportunity to bond with someone.

We’ve all been there, sitting in the middle of a conversation that suddenly hits a dead end, leaving us desperately searching for something to say.

The good news is, a stalled conversation can be rescued. The key is to be prepared. It can be helpful to keep a few topic ideas up your sleeve, so you can revive the conversation if it starts to drag.

Conversation Starters About Hobbies and Interests

Here are some conversation starters about hobbies and interests that can help you get to know someone better: 

  • What’s the most interesting thing you’ve read or watched lately?
  • Have you discovered any new music or podcasts recently?
  • What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?
  • What activity helps you relax the most?
  • What’s a skill you’d like to learn someday?

Conversation Starters About Food

Here are some conversation starters that can help you connect with fellow foodies:

  • Have you been to any good restaurants lately?
  • What’s your go-to comfort food?
  • What’s your favorite thing to cook?
  • If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
  • What food reminds you most of home?

Conversation Starters About Travel

Here are some conversation starters that can help you explore the world of travel:

  • What’s your dream travel destination?
  • What’s the most amazing place you’ve ever visited?
  • What’s the next place on your travel bucket list?
  • What’s your favorite travel memory?
  • Do you collect anything from the places you visit?
  • Do you enjoy trying new foods when you travel?
  • Have you ever made friends while traveling?
  • What’s the first thing you do when you arrive at a new place?
  • What’s the longest trip you’ve ever taken?
  • Do you prefer beach, mountain, or city trips?

Conversation Starters About Family

Here are some conversation starters that can give you a glimpse into someone’s family and upbringing:

  • Do you have any siblings? What are they like?
  • Who is your favorite person in your family?
  • How do you usually celebrate holidays with your family?
  • What’s a family tradition that’s important to you?
  • What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your family?
  • What’s your happiest childhood memory?
  • Do you have any pets that are part of your family?

Conversation Starters About Work

Here are some conversation starters about work: 

  • What are the projects you’re working on at the moment?
  • What’s a recent accomplishment you’re proud of?
  • What’s the biggest challenge you’re facing at work?
  • What do you like most about your job?
  • How do you handle work stress?
  • What motivates you to get through the day?
  • How do you balance your work and your personal life?

Conversation Starters About Life

Here are some conversation starters about life and the bigger picture: 

  • Who’s your biggest role model?
  • What’s something you’re grateful for today?
  • What’s a cause or issue you’re passionate about?
  • What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
  • Do you have a favorite quote or motto that you live by?
  • What advice would you give your younger self?
  • What does your ideal life look like 10 years from now?
  • What does retirement look like to you?
  • What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your life so far?

Conversation Starters About Fantasies

Here are some what-if questions that can be fun and interesting to discuss: 

  • If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money?
  • If you could instantly become an expert in something, what would it be?
  • If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
  • If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would you pick?
  • If you could have any three wishes granted, what would you ask for? 
  • If you could swap lives with someone for a day, who would it be and why?
  • If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?

When it comes to conversation topics, the possibilities are endless, so you should try to find topics that are mutually interesting or engaging.

—
ALISON WOOD BROOKS, PHD

How to Revive a Conversation

The experts share some strategies that can help us revive a stalling conversation:

  • Introduce a new topic: If the current subject has run its course, Dr. Brooks recommends switching to a new topic. “It can help to pay closer attention to our partner’s interest in the conversation. When their interest begins to flag, it’s better to switch to something new, even if we feel we have more to say on the topic.”
  • Ask open-ended questions: Instead of asking questions that can be answered with a simple “yes” or “no,” we can ask open-ended questions that encourage more detailed responses, such as “What was the highlight of your week?” or “How do you spend your free time?”
  • Find common ground: Discovering shared interests or experiences can give us lots to talk about. Whether it’s a mutual hobby, a favorite TV show, or a recent event, we can ask the person their views and share our own thoughts.
  • Share a personal story: Offering a personal anecdote can help us connect with the other person. This often prompts them to share their own stories too, helping us bond with them.
  • Callback a previous topic: While looking for a new topic to talk about, Dr. Brooks says it can be helpful to callback a detail, either from a previous conversation with the same person, or from earlier in the same conversation. For example, if the person we’re chatting with mentioned they were going hiking last week, we could ask them how the hike was.

  • Use humor: A light-hearted joke or funny observation can break the ice and ease any tension. Laughing with someone is a great way to bond with them.
  • Pay a compliment: Giving a sincere compliment or acknowledging something interesting about the person can make them happy and set a positive tone for the conversation. For example, “I love your shirt, where did you get it?” or “Your company logo is really cool; tell me more about it.”
  • Discuss current events: Recent news or trending topics can provide fresh material for discussion. Being informed about what’s happening in the world is often helpful while making conversation.
  • Play a conversation game: Introducing a fun and simple game like “Would You Rather?” or “Two Truths and a Lie” can lighten the mood and prompt interesting responses.
Sanjana Gupta Bio Photo

By Sanjana Gupta

Sanjana is a health writer and editor. Her work spans various health-related topics, including mental health, fitness, nutrition, and wellness.


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Can Opposites Really Make Love Work?

by with No Comment Dating Tips, Guide and Advice

Key Takeaways

  • Even though people with Type A personalities and Type B personalities are very different in their habits and approaches to things like work and interpersonal relationships, that doesn’t mean that they are incompatible.
  • Just like any romantic relationship—there are actually many advantages to dating someone with a different personality type than you.
  • An openness to change can facilitate better communication within the relationship.

We’ve all heard of “Type A” and “Type B” personalities, with both often falling into a number of common stereotypes. But can a person with a Type A personality be in a successful relationship with someone who’s Type B?

Advantages of a Type A/Type B Relationship

While it might seem as though Type A personalities and Type B personalities have some irreconcilable differences, a relationship between a Type A and Type B can actually be very successful.

  • You can balance each other out: The B can teach the A how to relax more and let themselves off the hook, which can lead to less stress in A’s life and therefore less stress in the relationship.
  • You can learn from each other: For instance. the A can teach the B the benefits of hard work and goal orientation, and support them with concepts (and actions) like motivation and achievement. “Type A tends to go, go, go, which can lead to burnout, and two Type As can feed off of each other in unhealthy ways,” explains Amy Marschall, PsyD. “On the other hand, the Type A can perhaps encourage and motivate the Type B individual towards their goals if they have a less intense drive. You can bring out the best in each other.”
  • You can lean into your own strengths: The B is unlikely to step on the A’s toes when it comes to planning or taking charge of situations. This can make it easier to delegate responsibilities within the relationship because each person leans a different way—the A gets to do what they like and are best at (like planning), leaving the B to take care of other things (like creative problem-solving).

  • You’re less likely to butt heads with each other: It is also likely that arguments between a Type A personality and a Type B personality will have less intensity and be resolved more quickly because the A doesn’t have another stubborn A to contend with. Because Type Bs are generally more able to compromise and find middle ground than their Type A counterparts, fights between a Type A person and a Type B person can have less “bite.”

Disadvantages of a Type A/Type B Relationship

Just like in any relationship, there can be challenges in a Type A/Type B partnership.

  • Steamrolling/being steamrolled: The assertiveness, competitiveness, and need for dominance that a Type A exhibits can make the B feel as though they can’t express themselves. B might not be sure how to advocate for themselves in the relationship, especially if they feel as though they can’t talk with their Type A partner about what they need. This can lead to built-up resentment and conflict down the road.
  • Imbalance in the relationship: In addition, if the B partner constantly takes a backseat when it comes to planning and consistently expects their A partner to make all the plans and take care of everything themselves, the A might get frustrated and wish the B would take some initiative. This might be difficult for the B, especially if it does not naturally occur to them that they should adopt this work ethic; and their inability to “step up to the plate” in the eyes of the A can leave the A feeling unsupported and unappreciated.
  • Miscommunication issues. If each partner expects certain things from the other but assumes that because they themselves function one way, their partner will function in the same way, this can lead to conflict and resentment—especially if each person does not clearly communicate what they need.

  • A clash in traits: A Type B’s laidback nature and lack of focus can get on a Type A’s nerves, whereas an A’s insistence that things should be exactly the way they want them to be can bother a B.
  • You might want different things: The differences in interests and priorities can also cause difficulties in a Type A/Type B relationship, explains Yolanda Renteria, LMFT. Specifically, look out for “the conflict that arises when partners try to force the other to be more like them, or the distance that can be created between them if their life goals and interests are completely different.”

Strategies for Navigating a Type A/Type B Relationship

Navigating a Type A/Type B relationship comes down to communication and understanding.

“Just like any relationship, communicate what you need to your partner,” says Marschall. “Get on the same page, and be clear. Also remember that it’s OK that you have different needs, and both sides can compromise to find a middle ground.”

If You’re Type A

If you’re the Type A, it’s important to:

  • Accept that your partner might not be as motivated or assertive as you are—and that’s OK! People are different, and those differences can complement each other when you learn to stop expecting your partner to do things and feel things exactly the same way you do. “Try to see your partner’s differences as strengths instead of as personality flaws,” says Renteria. “For example, type A partners can see their partner’s calmness as a resource they can lean into.”
  • Clearly communicate what you need from your Type B partner. For example, if it’s not their first inclination to help you with things like planning and goals for the household or relationship, tell them exactly what gestures and actions you need from them. If you are expecting them to help you plan a trip but never tell them that that’s what you want from them—especially if they’re not the “planning” type—how are they supposed to know?
  • At the same time, try not to project your ambitions and needs onto your Type B partner. Just because they might tend to procrastinate or approach things with less of a go-getter attitude does not mean that they won’t achieve their goals or get things done that they need to do. Remember that they just have a different way of doing things.

If You’re Type B

If you’re Type B:

  • Accept that your Type A partner might not be as laid-back or able to compromise as you are. You two have different skills and different approaches to both problems and achievements, and acknowledging that can help you understand your partner better and not expect things from them of which they are not capable.
  • If your partner needs something from. you, listen and do your best to accommodate them, even if it’s not something you would naturally do. This doesn’t mean ignoring your own needs or doing something that’s not good for you; instead, it means you might have to make an effort to do something for your partner that’s a little out of your comfort zone, like helping them plan your vacation or being proactive about things like chores.
  • Make an effort to understand your Type A partner’s motivations and goals. Talking about what they are working towards can help you as a Type B realize what they are trying so hard to accomplish. This can help you accept and even support your partner as they reach for those achievements—even if they are achievements you wouldn’t normally care about. “Type B partners can view their partner’s driven personality as an invitation to challenge themselves to grow,” explains Renteria. So instead of seeing your Type A partner’s intense motivation as something intimidating or unreasonable, try looking at it as a possibility to improve your own life as well.
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By Hannah Owens, LMSW

Hannah Owens is the Mental Health/General Health Editor for Verywell Mind. She is a licensed social worker with clinical experience in community mental health.


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