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Good Topics for Conversation

Deepa Kartha
Are you going on a date for the first time with a girl you have just met? You'll be needing some interesting topics to converse, so as to make a good impression on her.
"Good nature is more agreeable in conversation than wit, and gives a certain air to the countenance which is more amiable than beauty."
― Joseph Addison
Communicating is the most essential factor that determines a person's social life, but not many are well versed in this art. Be it a first date or meeting a new person at a party, striking up a conversation is needed for the other person to know that you are interested in knowing him/her.
However, most people become tongue-tied when they come across a new person, not knowing what to talk to them. Nevertheless, one must understand that it is not a herculean task. You just have to know about the topics that would help you communicate well with a person you have just met.
Let us take a look at some interesting conversation topics that will not only help you in knowing the new person, but may also aid in forming a long-lasting relationship.
"There is no such thing as a worthless conversation, provided you know what to listen for. And, questions are the breath of life for conversation."
― James Nathan Miller
Picking up a good topic for conversation, and asking questions related to it is the best approach. The questions should trigger a long response, rather than the typical yes or no answer. This will avoid making the conversation one-sided and boring.
On the other hand, you should not ask the questions as if you are playing the rapid fire round on a game show. Rather, the questions should follow a natural progression. Here are some questions that you can ask according to the topic you have chosen.

Compliment

Complimenting the other person is one of the oldest ways to begin a conversation. People like compliments, and mostly, will respond politely. However, the compliment should not be something that ends with the other person saying a thank you.
For instance, if you tell a girl at a party, "You have beautiful eyes", she may just say, "Thank you", and the conversation will end before it actually started. Rather, the compliment should be something that will aid you in asking more questions, and making an interesting conversation. 
Some examples on how to start a conversation include:
  • You are wearing a beautiful dress. Where did you get it from?
  • You play the guitar really well. Since when have you been learning it?
  • I saw your dance performance the other day. It was really good. Are you undergoing professional training?
  • This haircut looks really chic on you. Where did you get it done?

Family and Friends

Talking about family and friends is a great way of knowing each other, and hence, it is a good topic for dates.
However, be a little careful, because some people may have gone through a difficult childhood, or may have divorced parents. In such situations, apologize and move to other topics, instead of making the other person feel uncomfortable.
Here are some of the questions that you can ask when talking about family and friends.
  • Who all are there in your family?
  • What do your parents do?
  • What are the names of your siblings? Are they working or studying?
  • What are the things common between you and your siblings?
  • Which place did you go last as a family?
  • Who is your best friend? Since when do you know him/her?
  • Do you often go out with your friends? Where do you hang out usually?

Hobbies and Interests

Talking about hobbies and interests will help you in knowing whether you have anything in common with the other person. If you do, you will have a lot of things to talk about. However, if you do not, instead of getting disheartened, try to understand more about the person's liking. You may as well include questions about favorite movies, music, books, etc.
Let us look at the questions that can be asked regarding one's hobbies and interests.
  • What are the activities that you like to do in spare time?
  • Do you like to read books? What interests you more, fiction or non fiction?
  • Which book are you reading now? Which is your favorite one by far?
  • Do you play any kind of sport? Which one, and why do you like it?
  • Do you like watching movies? What genre do you like?
  • Which movie did you watch recently? Did you like it?
  • Does traveling interest you? Which place would you really love to visit?
Apart from having these topics, you can also ask about the person's work, studies, career aspirations, etc. Other than these, whether you are going on a date or just for a party, two very important things that you need is confidence and genuineness.
These factors will make the other person comfortable in your company, ensuring that you have an enjoyable time talking to each other.