There’s a misconception that knowing what to say after “Hello,” is only reserved only for the shy, aloof or the introverted. The truth being that the egotistical motormouth can at times often run out of things to say, or ideas to speak of when initiating a discussion.
More often than not, icebreakers can be used to kick start an event or a meeting, whenever someone is attempting to conduct a discussion with a complete stranger, or someone from the opposite sex.
It’s effectiveness begins with how comfortable and confident you are. Starting a conversation isn’t always easy, unless you have ways to break the ice.
10. First Admit The Awkward Silence
After the pleasantries, the introductions and the initial small chitchat, what then overtakes is the embarrassing and certainly the uncomfortable moment once everyone stops talking, as the room or table becomes awkwardly silent.
The best thing you can do is light up the mood by making everyone aware of the silence.
It’s the opportune time to crack a funny yet appropriate joke, or talk about the weather. What doing so does is evaporates the awkwardness, while stemming new topics of discussion.
9. Talk About Favorite Movies
Movies can be a fire starter for conversation, as everyone has their favorites. Similar to musical taste, asking someone about their favorite actor, genre, the last movie that they saw.
Asking about their impressions of the movie they just watched, is an excellent way of getting a conversation going. Just make sure the setting is appropriate.
8. Comment About The Immediate Surroundings
What any party or event has is a setting, perhaps an impressive ambience, so you can break the ice by starting a conversation with someone by making a comment regarding the immediate surroundings.
More often than not, just an observational comment on the interior design, or a quick comment about the food should be enough to initiate a conversation.
7. Ask What Their Favorite Time Of Year Is
You’re at the annual staff barbecue picnic and you see someone you’d like to meet, and are obviously experiencing discomfort because of the heat. This can be the opening to break the ice by asking what their favorite time of year is.
Corny, sure, but what you’re doing is naturally starting a conversation based on the conditions, this by relaxing them since they’re experiencing the immediate elements.
6. Play Participation Games
If you’re hosting a party or an event, the surefire way of eliminating the awkward silence that everyone feels, is by getting them involved in playing a fun participation game.
Even if everyone finds doing so ridiculous, it relieves the tension by getting everyone on the same page.
This is the best known way to get everyone to start talking to each other. Once the nerves are gone, then the discussion can shift away from the game playing.
5. Ask If They’re A Day Or Night Person
If you’re at a morning event and someone looks bored, constantly yawning, and appears completely absent. Then you can start a discussion such as, “Mornings suck” or “Burning the midnight oil again were we?” Regardless of their response, they’ll notice you’re both on the same page.
If they are a night owl, you can talk about the favorite night spots you like to frequent around town, the clubs you like, etc. If they’re a morning person, discuss your favorite coffee, where you like to workout, best places to dine.
4. Ask About Their Personal Beliefs
You can instantly know what a person likes if they’ve been staring at a photo, painting, or picture for a while, or always wears a t-shirt with a certain quote, which can be used as a conversation starter.
Someone wearing a “Save The Whales” t-shirt obviously indicates they’re concerned about the environment or animal welfare, and then the conversation can stem from there.
3. Talk About Music
Talking about music is always a conversation starter, this once making a remark regarding a particular band, artist, or a genre of music that happens to be playing.
The connection is made because you both enjoy the same type of music, which gives clues to other characteristics, and the lifestyle they prefer. What sharing a particular personal insight on the music, explains what else they like as well.
2. Help Doing Small Tasks
Plenty of new friendships have sprung once someone offers their help, volunteers their time to assist doing a minor task.
Say you’re at the gym, and decide to help someone do their exercise, is a surefire way to strike up a conversation.
Or if you happen to be at a party, helping the host pour the drinks will get you noticed.
1. Just Say “Hello!”
The easiest way to break the ice can be as simple, and as difficult of having the confidence to just go up to that person, and say “Hello!” Then introduce yourself.
Once you build up the courage, put on your infectious sincere smile, you can win over anyone without it being awkward.
A smile shows you are a warm, kind, inviting person who enjoys meeting new people. The other person then won’t be forced to take a defensive stance, while feeling comfortable talking to you.