Holiday Conversation Tips…17 Simple Starters

This season, try one of these 17 EASY Conversation Starters.

The icebreakers below are deceptively easy as they can be answered by ANYONE or at least by MOST and can lead to conversation depths just as good as those that are more sophisticated. Try them this holiday season!  (Notice that every closed question has a follow-up probe to keep the conversation going.)

1. I’m (YOUR NAME) and you are…? (What a great name. Is that a family name?)
2. How do you know the host (owner, etc.)?
3. Have you been in the area long? (If not, where, and if so, what keeps you here?)
4. Do you live nearby? ( Don’t probe too much here; a general idea is fine.)
5. That (tie, necklace, etc.) looks great on you. Where did you get it?
6. I like the music; do you? (And if so or not, why?)
7. Have you been to the new place in town (restaurant, bank, etc.)?
8. Are you a sports fan? (Ok, what team and what game?)
9. Do you play music? (if yes or no, why and what)
10. Is your family nearby? (Don’t probe too much here; if not, where?)
11. I hope they have (type of dessert). Are you a pie person or a cake?
12. The service here is excellent. (Do you agree? Why or why not?)
13. Was the parking difficult? Did they have valet? (Did you drive?)
14. You remind me of my cousin Sam. Do you also like (camping, birding, etc.)?
15. Do you like winter? (How about snow shoveling?)
16. Would you say you like to exercise? (If yes or no, why?)
17. Do you use a shopping list for presents or are you a last-minute buyer? (Why?)

These ideas present a few samples.

They are just a reminder that the simplest questions are often the best ways to start a conversation!

Thanks to photographer Kevin Curtis with unsplash for this conversational photo!