202 conversation starters to help you connect with new people

We've all experienced this awkward moment: You're at a party, networking event, or gathering, and the only people you know are occupied.

You might be tempted to scroll through your phone, distract yourself with hors d’oeuvres, or lurk near the bar until you can slink out unobtrusively.

Instead of heading for the exit, take a deep breath and summon your confidence: it's time to get out there and meet new people.

Sure, it’s easy to feel intimidated by the prospect of striking up a conversation with a stranger, but this scenario is actually the perfect opportunity to expand your circle.

In the midst of our well-documented loneliness epidemic, building relationships is crucial to our mental and physical health. Chances are that whoever you're chatting with is similarly grateful for the opportunity to connect.

Meeting people is also a great way to broaden your worldview and encounter fresh perspectives. Maybe your new acquaintances will introduce you to a fascinating book, or encourage you to take up a new hobby.

If you're looking for a smooth way to chat up your crush, we have you covered, too. First dates can be stressful — we all want to make a good impression, after all — but there are plenty of ways to start a fun, flirty, and meaningful conversation.

From funny to deep, these conversation starters will help you connect with people in any (and every) situation.

• What brings you to this event?
• Having fun? 
• Do you know a lot of people here?
• What have you been up to since I last saw you?
• I love your outfit. Where do you like to shop?
• What do you do for work?
• What do you do for fun?
• Have you been here before? 
• Where did you last travel to?
• Are you working on any passion projects?
• What is your favorite time of year?
• Where’s next on your list to visit? 
• Do you have any pets?
• What does your ideal weekend look like?
• Have you read any good books lately?
• Have you watched any good shows recently? 
• Have you listened to any good podcasts lately?
• What books/ movies/ TV shows do you recommend?
• Do you have a bucket list?
• Where did you grow up?
• What brought you to move here? 
• What made you laugh this week?
• What is your favorite cuisine?
• Do you like to travel?
• How long have you worked at [company]?
• Where did you go to school?
• What is your go-to fun fact?
• What was the highlight of your day today?
• What was your favorite book/movie/TV show growing up?
• How did you get into your hobby?
• Have you ever met someone famous?
• If you could play any song right now, what would it be?
• What are your goals this week?
• What is the most beautiful place you’ve ever visited?
• What is your favorite form of social media?
• What did you think of the show?
• Do you have any restaurant recommendations?
• What kind of music do you listen to?
• Do you enjoy going to museums?
• Do you speak any other languages?
• Are you a dog or cat person?
• What sports team are you rooting for right now?
• Who is your favorite celebrity?
• What pop culture moment have you been fascinated by lately?
• Do you like to cook?
• If you had more free time, how would you spend it?
• What life hack do you swear by?
• Has this been a busy week for you?
• If you could get coffee with one person, living or dead, who would you choose?
• Do you prefer hot weather or cold weather?

• What never fails to make you laugh?
• What’s the stupidest joke you’ve ever heard?
• What was the most embarrassing moment of your life?
• What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?
• If you joined the circus, what act would you perform?
• What’s your strangest habit?
• What is the dumbest thing you’ve ever had to Google?
• Do you sing in the shower?
• Has anyone ever told you that you look like a famous person?
• Do you believe in aliens?
• What’s a small topic that you’re weirdly passionate about?
• What is the worst baby name you’ve ever heard?
• What is your silliest fear?
• What is the funniest lie you’ve ever told?
• Did you have an awkward phase as a kid?
• Would you survive a zombie apocalypse?
• What movie title describes your personality?
• Would you hate or enjoy the ability to read minds?
• What is your most unusual skill?
• What song could you sing or rap word for word?
• How many hours do you spend on your phone each day?
• Can you do any celebrity impressions?
• What is the worst advice anyone has ever given you?
• Do you think you would enjoy being famous?
• Do you have any ‘icks’?
• Which app or website do you spend the most time on?
• What outfit do you regret the most?
• What is the funniest movie you’ve ever seen?
• Do you think you talk in your sleep?
• What is your most unpopular opinion?
• Which G-rated movie scared you as a child?
• If you had to give a presentation on the spot, what topic would you choose?
• Do you collect anything?
• Do you think a hot dog is a sandwich?
• What popular thing do you secretly hate?
• Did you ever have an imaginary friend?
• Do you have a signature dance move? Show me!
• What's your “Roman Empire”?
• If you could jump into the world of a movie, which movie would you choose?
• What is your usual pizza order?
• What is your usual coffee order?
• What’s the strangest question anyone has ever asked you?
• If a genie granted you three wishes, what would you wish for?
• Do you think you would survive in a horror movie?
• Would you ever go on a reality show? Which one?
• Would you rather live without internet or without air conditioning?
• What’s the weirdest food combination you enjoy?
• What would you do if you ran into your clone?
• If you were a vegetable, what would you be?
• How many photos on your camera roll are selfies?

• How are you really doing today?
• I love your sense of style. Have you always been someone savvy with fashion or did you develop your style over time?
• What’s your most treasured item?
• What was your dream job as a kid?
•  If you were stranded on a desert island, what three items would you bring?
• How do you spend your days? 
• Who was your role model growing up?
• You have great taste in literature. Want to do a book swap?
• Do you remember your dreams when you wake up?
• If you could be anyone else for a day, who would you choose and why?
• What do you love most about your job?
• What do you dislike about your job?
• What’s something you’ve always been curious to learn more about?
• What are your passions? 
• Who is the person you talk to the most?
• What do you hope to accomplish this year?
• What is the last thing that made you cry?
• Have you ever met one of your heroes? Did they live up to your expectations?
• What do you see yourself doing this time next year? 
• What was your proudest moment?
•  If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, which one would you choose?
• What would you like to change about your life in the next year? 
• What do you look for in a potential friend?
• What’s a memory that always makes you smile?
• What song always makes you dance?
• Are you more of an introvert or extrovert?
• What’s something about you that surprises people?
• Who is your best friend, and why are they your best friend?
• Which family member are you most similar to?
• If you buried a time capsule today, what would you put in it?
• If you won the lottery, what would you do?
• Do you consider yourself messy or organized? Would others agree?
• What item in your house do you use most often?
• What book has made the biggest impact on you?
• If you could go back in time, which era would you visit?
• What’s something you’ve never told anyone?
• If you could break one world record, what would it be?
• What is the greatest challenge that you have overcome?
• If you were immortal for one day, what would you do?
• What would you title your memoir?
• What’s the best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
• What actor would you choose to play you in a movie?
• Do you fear or embrace change?
• If you could pick a superpower, what would it be?
• What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
• What is something you regret?
• Do you tend to agree with your friends?
• Are you a risk-taker or do you prefer to stay in your comfort zone?
• If you could change one thing about the world, what would you change?
• If someone could tell you about your future, would you want to know?
• Does your life resemble the future you imagined as a child?

• I was feeling nervous and excited coming into this event, but I am glad I’m here with you. How were you feeling before this event?
• Do you prefer to go out or stay in?
• Am I similar to what you expected? 
• What surprised you about me?
• What is the most important thing I should know about you?
• How are you feeling so far? 
• What made you interested in going out with me?
• What do you look for in a potential partner?
• What qualities matter most to you?
• What are your relationship deal breakers?
• What is the first thing you noticed about me?
• What do you think a healthy relationship looks like?
• Have you ever tried (insert hobby here)? 
• What is your communication style?
• Do you prefer the city or the country?
• What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
• If you could describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
• What is your favorite place in the whole world?
• Have you ever gone on a blind date?
• If you weren’t in your current field of work, what would you want to do?
• What is the best date you’ve ever been on?
• What is the worst date you’ve ever been on?
• What is your favorite holiday?
• What does your work-life balance look like?
• Do you feel fulfilled by your career?
• What is your biggest pet peeve?
• What’s your favorite thing about yourself? 
• What does your typical day look like?
• Who is your celebrity crush?
• Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
• What is your favorite dessert?
• Who is the most important person in your life right now?
• What is the best compliment you’ve ever gotten?
• Are you a morning person or a night owl?
• What is your love language?
• What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
• Do you prefer to text or call?
• Would you ever relocate for a partner?
• What traits do you think make us compatible?
• What is your perfect date night?
• What gives you butterflies?
• What’s one thing you’ll never compromise on?
• What is your opinion on astrology?
• If you had to get a tattoo right now, what design would you choose?
• What is your least favorite home chore?
• What is your most-used emoji?
• Are there any questions you want to ask me, but you feel too nervous?
• Do you prefer tea or coffee?
• What fictional character do you relate to the most?
• If you could build your dream home, what would it look like?
• What do you think people should know about each other before they start dating?