Making conversation with new people can be difficult, but it’s a skill that can be learned. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips to help you feel more comfortable talking to strangers.
Br yourself.
One of the most important things to remember when making conversation with new people is to be yourself. It can be tempting to try to impress the other person by pretending to be someone you’re not, but this will only make you feel uncomfortable and anxious. Be honest about your interests and opinions, and don’t be afraid to share a little bit about your personal life.
How to approach someone.
When you see someone, you would like to talk to, approach them with a friendly smile and introduce yourself. You could say something like, “Hi, I’m _______. I don’t think we’ve met before.”
Once you’ve broken the ice, try to find something in common with the other person. If you’re at a party, you could ask them how they know the host or what they do for a living. If you’re at a networking event, you could ask them what brought them there or what their business is all about.
Get Involved in the conversation.
When you’re at a social event, don’t just stand around waiting for someone to talk to you. Get involved in the conversation and introduce yourself to people.
If you’re unsure what to say, ask the person about themselves. For example, you could say, “Hi, I’m Sarah. What’s your name?” or “What do you do for work?” Asking questions is a great way to get the conversation going and show that you’re interested in the other person.
Events can be a great way to meet new people and make conversation.
While initiating a conversation with a stranger can be difficult, remember that everyone is in the same boat. Everyone feels a little awkward and unsure of what to say at first. But if you take the initiative and start a conversation, you will find some common ground with the other person. So go ahead and introduce yourself to that guy or girl standing next to you. You never know; they might just be your new best friend.
Conversation Starters.
You can also use conversation starters like, “Have you been to this event before?” or “What’s your favorite thing about it?” These types of questions are more open-ended and can lead to more interesting conversations.
Some ideas for conversation starters at events include:
- How do you know the host?
- What made you decide to come tonight?
- Have you tried any of the food/drink?
- What’s your favorite thing about this event?
- What’s the best event you’ve been to?
- What’s the worst event you’ve been to?
- Have you ever done anything like this before?
- Do you know anyone here?
- How long have you lived in the area?
- What do you do for work?
- What do you think of the (music/entertainment)?
Nonverbal cues.
Don’t forget to smile and make eye contact when talking to someone. These nonverbal cues will make you seem more approachable and friendly.
Another thing to remember is to avoid crossing your arms or legs, as this can make you seem closed off. Instead, keep an open posture and face the person you’re talking to.
Ask Questions.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. People love talking about themselves, so asking questions is a great way to get the conversation going. For example, you could say, “What do you do for work?” or “How did you get interested in that?”
If you’re unsure what to say, comment on something the other person is wearing or carrying. For example, you could say, “That’s a really nice purse. Where did you get it?”
One important thing to remember is to avoid controversial topics like politics or religion. These topics can make people uncomfortable and make it difficult to continue the conversation.
When you’re asking questions, make sure to ask open-ended questions. These questions can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” For example, instead of asking, “Do you like your job?” you could say, “What do you like about your job?”
Open-ended questions are more likely to lead to interesting conversations and help you get to know the other person better.
Don’t break the flow.
Once you’ve started a conversation, try to keep it going by ensuring you don’t break the flow. This means avoiding awkward silences and keeping the conversation going.
You can do this by asking follow-up questions or commenting on what the other person is saying. For example, if the other person is talking about their work, you could say, “That sounds really interesting. What made you decide to go into that field?”. If they’re talking about their hobbies, you could say, “That’s really cool. I’ve always wanted to try that.”
Another thing you can do is to share something about yourself that’s related to what the other person is saying. For example, if they’re talking about their work, you could share your own work story. This will help to keep the conversation going and make it more interesting.
Be a good listener.
An important part of the conversation is listening. Don’t just wait for your turn to talk; really listen to what the other person is saying. This will show that you’re interested in the conversation and make it more likely that they’ll want to talk to you again.
People will appreciate it if you’re interested in what they say. Ask follow-up questions and make sure to keep the conversation going. Don’t worry if you’re not the best at making small talk. Just relax and be yourself, and you’ll be sure to make some new friends.
Conversations are a two-way street, so don’t just talk about yourself the whole time. Make an effort to find out about the other person and show that you’re interested in them as a person.
Don’t get distracted.
It’s important to pay attention to the conversation and not get distracted. This can be difficult if you’re nervous, but try to focus on the other person and what they’re saying. Avoid checking your phone or looking around the room, as this can make you seem disinterested.
If you’re struggling to pay attention, try repeating what the other person says in your head. This will help you focus on the conversation and ensure you don’t miss anything.
Find common ground.
If you can find something you both have in common, it will be easier to keep the conversation going. For example, if you both like to travel, you could talk about your favorite places to visit. Or, if you’re both sports fans, you could discuss your favorite teams.
Common ground doesn’t have to be something big. It could be something as simple as both of you being from the same city.
Don’t be afraid to share a little bit about yourself, too. People will be more interested in the conversation if they know more about you.
What if you have nothing in common?
Even if you can’t think of anything you have in common with the other person, there are still ways to keep the conversation going.
Ask them about their hobbies, favorite TV shows, or what they like to do in their free time. Everyone has unique experiences and stories to share, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Don’t forget to share your own experiences and stories, too. The more you open up, the more likely the other person will do the same.
Ending the conversation.
When you’re ready to end the conversation, you can say something like, “It was nice meeting you. I’m going to get a drink. I’ll see you around.”
Don’t be afraid to end the conversation if it’s not going well. You don’t have to talk to someone just because they’re standing next to you. If you’re not enjoying the conversation, politely excuse yourself and move on.
There’s no need to exchange contact information unless you want to. If you exchange numbers, save the person’s name on your phone, so you don’t forget who they are.
Repeat these steps with as many people as possible!
The more people you talk to, the easier it will be to make conversation. So go out and meet some new people today! Think of it as practice for your next big social event.
The more you do it, the easier it will become. Soon, you’ll be a pro at making conversation with anyone, anywhere.
Have fun!
Remember, the point of talking to new people is to have fun. So relax and enjoy yourself. Don’t worry if you don’t say the perfect thing or if you make a few mistakes. Just go with the flow, and you’ll surely have a good time.
Bottom line.
Conversation is a skill that you can learn and practice. The more you do it, the easier it will become. So go out there and start talking to people at the next event! You might be surprised at how much fun you have.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to make conversation with new people in no time! Just remember to relax and be yourself, and you’ll do great. Good luck!
What are some of your favorite tips for making conversation with new people? Let us know in the comments below!
Meet Brenda Tillman: your go-to expert in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy! Not only is she a seasoned therapist, but she’s also a passionate mom blogger who never misses a beat. Dive deep into her insightful blogs, backed by her extensive coursework in Parenting Skills, Learning, and Education. Brenda’s heartwarming family – a son, two daughters, and their adorable pets – often take center stage in her writings. From parenting hacks and relationship tips to health & fitness nuggets, Brenda has been enlightening her readers for over half a decade. Stick around, and you’re bound to discover gems from a mom who wears many hats with grace!
Reviewed By: Joanna Perez and Marcella Raskin
Edited By: Lenny Terra
Fact Checked By: Gabrielle J. Smith
Photos Taken or Curated By: Matthew Mansour