Opening conversations don’t have to be awkward

Starting casual conversations at holiday events – whether you’re attending a social gathering with friends or joining your coworkers at a job-related function – can be a great way to build connections. But how do you start? Commenting on the weather is completely unoriginal. If you’re looking for opening lines that go beyond sports or the weather, here are some ideas:

As far as work-related topics, you could ask, “How’s your day going so far?” or “Anything exciting happening in your world at work this week?” Or try some other open-ended questions, inviting the other person to share something interesting. You could also delve into a specific topic by saying, “What’s been the most interesting thing you’ve worked on lately?” or reference something relevant like, “I saw this on the news – what do you think?” If you’re seeking advice or feedback, try, “Do you have any tips for this project I’m working on? I’d love your perspective.”

Build them up

Trent Hardee, a career consultant in St. Louis, Missouri, says paying someone a compliment or mentioning something positive you observed are great ways to break the ice. “You could say something nice about someone’s shirt or their shoes. Or you can focus it on work and say, ‘I liked how you handled that sales call last week. What’s your mindset for planning something like that,’” Hardee says. “Sure, you’re buttering them up, but who cares? You say something nice about them and all of a sudden, they’re more comfortable with you and more willing to chat. And people love to talk about themselves so you’re giving them the green light to do just that.”

Hardee says food and drink often make for engaging small talk. “People who love talking about new restaurants and new recipes. And considering there are so many cooking shows, they love talking about that stuff, too,” he says. “You could say, ‘have you tried any good restaurants lately?’ or ‘what’s your go-to dessert?’ Or you can be more practical and ask about their favorite spot for lunch.”

Outside the workplace

Hannah Pendall, a corporate trainer based in New York, says asking about hobbies and personal interests are always a safe bet. “It sounds cliche but if you ask someone if they read or watched anything good lately, they’re going to give you an answer,” Pendall says. “Or you can lead with ‘I’m looking for a new podcast – do you have any recommendations?’”

For those who love technology or trends, Pendall suggests asking about new apps or the latest gadgets. “A fun question like, ‘what’s a piece of tech you can’t live without?’ can also spark engaging conversations,” Pendall says.

If travel or experiences are a shared interest, you could ask, “Do you have any fun plans coming up?” or “What’s the best trip you’ve ever taken?”

Work it in

Don’t be afraid to bring up topics about work, as long as it’s not about something specific or stressful. “You can ask, ‘if you weren’t doing this job, what do you think you’d be doing?’ or tell me about the best advice you’ve ever received,’” says Hardee.

Tribune News Service