50 Conversation Starters to Revive Any Conversation Lulls

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. Whether we're at a party, a work event, or even just catching up with friends, those silent pauses can feel super awkward and uncomfortable.

Don’t worry—conversation lulls are natural and occur more frequently than we might realize, says Jenna Nielsen, MSW, LCSW, a therapist at ADHDAdvisor.

The good news is, a stalling conversation can be rescued. Switching to a new topic can help revive the discussion, says Alison Wood Brooks, PhD, an associate professor and conversation researcher at Harvard Business School.

The key is to be prepared. “Switching topics is easier if we’ve thought about potential topics before the conversation begins—before we’re lost in the demands of keeping the conversation alive,” says Dr. Brooks. It can be helpful to keep a few topic ideas up your sleeve, so you can revive the conversation if it starts to drag.

Signs of a Conversation Lull

The best way to prevent a conversation lull is to head it off before the awkward silence sets in. We all know the one. The chit-chat starts to fizzle out and then suddenly there’s an uncomfortable stretch where nobody can think of anything to say. Recognizing when the energy starts to dip can help us steer the conversation back on track before it’s too late.

These are some signs that a conversation lull might be approaching:

• Redundancies: According to Dr. Brooks, when we’re running out of things to talk about, we often resort to repeating ourselves, a habit known as conversational redundancy.
• One-word answers: As the conversation approaches a lull, our responses start to become shorter and less enthusiastic, approaching one-word answers.
• Longer pauses: As the dialogue dwindles, the pauses in between phrases often get longer, says Dr. Brooks. While gaps in the conversation are more comfortable between friends, they can be very awkward for strangers.
• Wandering eyes: If our gazes keep drifting away from each other and wandering around the room, it's a subtle sign that our minds might be elsewhere.
• Phone usage: When people start to glance at their phones, it’s generally a sign that the conversation is stalling, says Nielsen.
• Fake laughter: Uncomfortable laughter is another giveaway, says Dr. Brooks.

Noticing any one of these signals means it’s time to switch to a new topic, says Dr. Brooks.

Strategies 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.

50 Conversation Kickstarters

Use these topics as your secret weapon against awkward silences. Depending on the flow of your conversation, you can either use them as follow-up questions or introduce them as fresh topics to change things up.

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?
  

Takeaways

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. You’ve got this!