Knowing interesting topics to talk about can get us out of a tight spot . For example, a family lunch or dinner where you have to sit with that second cousin you only see at weddings or events, a date where you haven't met the other person yet, or even meeting your partner's family...
There are many times when we are with people we don't know very well, when we might not know what to talk about, when we want to keep personal matters to ourselves for the moment... in those situations, what should we talk about?
Conversation topics depend on the environment
Having interesting conversation topics ready to bring up in a pinch or during a quiet moment is essential. These are things to talk about when you want the conversation to flow smoothly , so the other person or people have a good time talking to you. This is something we should keep in mind regularly, especially when we're going on a date or meeting where we might not know the other attendees very well and there aren't many topics to discuss at first glance.
Have you ever noticed that when you get together with your coworkers, you only talk about work? Or when you meet up with other parents, you talk about school, the kids, the kids' doctors? You talk about the things we share, things we think are easy to discuss with the people we're with all the time. However, sometimes, with a little effort, we can talk about other things and discover that we're surrounded by more interesting people than we think, people who are just waiting for someone to bring up a different topic of conversation besides that tired old subject that unites them.
It is possible that by spending time alone with a coworker and moving away from the usual work topics, we might find a lifelong friend, a romantic relationship, or someone with whom to share more than just the work environment.
What are those interesting talking points that we can use?
Obviously , the topics of conversation vary depending on the context . The topics you'd discuss with a date you barely know are different from those you'd use with coworkers, distant relatives, or your partner or friends. However, some topics can be used in almost any situation.
Topics to talk about in any context
Having a repertoire of topics to talk about, whatever the situation, can be a great tool for staying calm and avoiding awkward silences. We suggest the following topics for any occasion:
Books and movies in a different way
There are some classic topics like talking about favorite books and movies, but why not just say which three books or movies they would choose as the only things they could watch/read for the rest of their life? Why? Let them tell you what those movies or books are about, let the other person tell you about their tastes and what they're passionate about, and why not, even try watching or reading the same things to get to know them better.
Childhood and growing up
Talking about childhood anecdotes is a great way to start a conversation, and the stories can go on for ages, so it's a pretty important topic to consider. But another important topic is being an adult, seeing how time passes, and whether that scares us , what we hope for in the future. And why not, what do we do to relieve the daily stress of being an adult? Children don't prepare you for adulthood! Or do they?
Place of residence and work
Would you change your place of residence for work? Would you change jobs to live in the place you want? What is your priority? What is your dream job or place? Because?
Lunch time
What's the worst and best food you've ever eaten while traveling? What would you never try again? What wouldn't you try even if others did? Like some delicious grasshoppers, for example? Dare to try something no one has ever had, go somewhere new, and let the food conversation flow.
Talent
Are there any hidden talents you have? Maybe paint, write... Or even better, is there a talent that isn't really useful at all but that you can do and amaze others? For example, you twist your finger strangely or you may lick your nose.
Topics to know more about a person
That person you want to get to know better might be a potential friend, a potential partner, or a new coworker. Breaking the ice can be tricky, but there are many things you can talk about. Here are some questions to get you started:
- Do you consider yourself someone with initiative or do you prefer to be guided?
- What do you value in your friendships?
- Do you have an anecdote that you love to tell and that everyone around you knows?
- What has been your worst day? And which is the best? Would you change anything that happened?
- What did you want to be when you grew up when you were little? Do you still think it would have been a good idea?
- What would you like to know how to do? Paint, play an instrument? Why haven't you learned it? Would you dare to do it? It's never too late.
- Would you change anything about your personality? Do you think you can change it?
Topics to talk about with your partner
It might sound a bit silly to suggest "topics to talk about with your partner," but the truth is, when daily life and routine consume us, you probably don't have time to talk about much beyond the day-to-day: shopping, work, what's on TV, etc. And sometimes, even when you go out to dinner as a couple, it seems like the topics are always the same. To change that, we suggest the following topics for conversation:
Work
But not only how the job is, but whether he likes it, whether it's what he wants, whether he'd like to change , what job he dreamed of as a child, what job he dreams of now.
The fear
Those fears that the other person may have and that they sometimes hide or do not want to look at, perhaps of reptiles, perhaps of something from their daily lives... ask them.
What would a perfect day be like?
Ask yourselves that question and why not try to create the perfect day for each other, or even design a perfect day together as a couple.
The house
If you both own a home, you can look for things you could change, things your partner has always dreamed of having —perhaps a library, a kitchen with an island, a study, a playroom… A home should be enjoyed, and each of you should have your own little dream space. So, trying to make it happen can be an amazing project.
The beginnings
Talking about the early days of a relationship is not only good, but it can also help us see the excitement we felt at the beginning, those embarrassing moments, and the little things we did for each other. It can be very beneficial to remember why you started a relationship in the first place.
Past relationships
It shouldn't be taboo to talk about past relationships. They existed. They taught us lessons. So, talking about the past allows us to see and let our partner see where we're headed, what we expect from our current partner, and what we don't.
Couple projects
Projects should always be on the table, some more immediate and others long-term, but they should all be aligned. That's why it's important to talk about what we want in life and what we want to create with our partner . Some fundamental topics that you should agree on include: whether or not to have children, whether or not to have pets, whether or not to own a house/apartment, whether or not you enjoy traveling, and where you see yourselves living in 3-4 years (small town, big city, small town, etc.). It even depends on your partner's age and what they plan to do when they retire.
Important people
Talking about family, friends, and other important people in each other's lives is crucial for getting to know our partner better , including their values, tastes, and feelings. This opens up a whole new world of possibilities, allowing us to share memories with these people and understand why they are so important to our partner.
Even so, we already know our partner, so we know which of these topics to discuss more or less. While it's always ideal to have a shared future project—perhaps a house, how to decorate it, a wedding, a family, trips—achieving these goals will keep the conversation flowing and prevent it from stagnating. So take advantage of these moments and, above all, make time to talk with your partner without the TV, phones, or other people—just the two of you—and the conversation will flow.
