Sitting at a table with a stranger, stuck in the elevator with your boss, or on a plane next to a complete stranger on a long flight? During an evening at the home of friends of friends, or on a coffee break with a new colleague, there are countless situations where it can be difficult to find the right conversation topics.
Yet, a simple and friendly chit chat can quickly lighten the mood and help you form a warm first connection. Here are ten ideas to start a discussion and share a pleasant moment.
1. Context or immediate environment
To break the ice, there’s nothing simpler than commenting on what surrounds you. This could be the place you are in, the atmosphere, or even a funny situation that just happened.
Examples:
- “What a beautiful place, don’t you think?”
- “The music is nice, do you like it?”
2. Travel and cultural experiences
Travel is an excellent conversation topic. Talking about dream destinations or anecdotes from past trips often sparks interest and enthusiasm.
Examples:
- “Which country would you like to visit this year?”
- “What are your most memorable trips?”
3. Cuisine and culinary tastes
Talking about food and culinary experiences is a must. It’s a topic everyone can relate to and one that opens the door to countless tasty anecdotes!
Examples:
- “What’s your favorite dish?”
- “Do you know a good restaurant around here?”
4. Interests and hobbies
Hobbies and passions are great ways to discover your conversation partner’s personality.
Examples:
- “Do you do any sports?”
- “What are your favorite pastimes?”
5. Series, movies and books
Talking about the latest series you’ve watched or books that made a strong impression is an excellent way to find common interests or discover new works.
Examples:
- “What are you watching these days?”
- “Which book made the biggest impression on you recently?”
6. Light and positive news
Avoid overly controversial or sensitive topics and focus on cultural, sports or quirky news for a relaxed conversation.
Examples:
- “Have you heard about this new discovery / piece of news?”
- “Are you following any sports news at the moment?”
7. Ambitions and future plans
Talking about your desires for the coming year or life plans is a way to show genuine interest in the person and their future.
Examples:
- “What are your big projects for the coming months?”
- “Are you thinking of changing careers one day?”
8. Funny or unusual anecdotes
Sharing amusing or surprising experiences can create a bond and put everyone in a good mood.
Examples:
- “Something incredible happened to me last week…”
- “Have you ever had a really funny moment while traveling or at work?”
9. Personal and professional background
Learning about someone’s background or sharing your own helps understand their interests and find common ground.
Examples:
- “What’s your professional background?”
- “Where are you from, and how did you end up here?”
10. Small personal questions (but not too much)
Showing interest in the person’s daily life without being intrusive is a good way to create a genuine exchange.
Examples:
- “What are your plans for the weekend?”
- “What’s been putting you in a good mood lately?”
Conclusion
“Chit chat” is above all a matter of genuine curiosity and active listening. By focusing on simple, accessible topics, you create the right setting for a friendly exchange. So don’t hesitate: who knows, this conversation could be the start of a great friendship or a strong professional network!
Here is a mnemonic device in the form of an acronym: CHIT-CHAT. Each letter corresponds to a possible discussion topic:
CHIT
-
C: Context (the immediate environment or situation)
-
H: Hobbies (sports, pastimes, interests)
-
I: Interests (favorite music, movies, books, cultural topics)
-
T: Travel (places visited, dream destinations)
CHAT
-
C: Culture (films, series, trends, pop culture)
-
H: Humor (lighthearted stories, funny anecdotes)
-
A: Ambitions (projects, goals, plans for the future)
-
T: Ties (work background, personal connections, networking)
Have a great discussion!
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