30 conversation starters for chatting with someone new

You have said hello. Now you would like to give the conversation somewhere to go. A small, specific question can offer a starting point without asking someone to sum up their whole life.

Here are 30 conversation starters in six groups. They are written for one-to-one text conversations, like the chats on onemore.chat. Start with a topic you are curious about, and feel free to put the question in your own words.

Pick one question, not a whole list

Choose something you would be happy to answer yourself. Send one question and leave room for a reply. If you get a short answer, you can offer a little of your own instead of immediately asking another question.

The follow-ups below are possibilities, not a script. Use one only if it fits what the other person shares. For broader advice on openings, pauses and endings, see our guide to starting a conversation with someone new.

1. Small things from an ordinary day

Use these when you know very little about each other and want an easy place to begin. They leave room for a quick answer or a longer story.

1. What is one small thing that made today a little better?
2. If you had a free hour today, what would you feel like doing?
3. What song would fit your mood right now?
4. Is there something you are looking forward to this week, even something small?
5. What is your favourite way to take a short break?

A possible follow-up: If they mention taking a walk, try “Do you like to listen to something, or just notice what's around you?” You can add your own preference without needing to ask where they walk.

2. Recommendations worth swapping

Try these when you would enjoy discovering something through another person's taste. You do not need to know the same books, films or music to ask what they like about them.

6. What is a film or series you would happily watch again?
7. Which song would you pick as someone's introduction to an artist you like?
8. Have you read, watched or listened to something recently that stayed with you?
9. What could you recommend to someone who has just ten minutes to spare?
10. Is there something you enjoyed more than you expected to?

A possible follow-up: After a film recommendation, ask “What do you like most about it, without giving away the ending?” If you have never heard of it, saying so gives them room to introduce it.

Choose a question you would enjoy answering, then try it in a chat. There is no need to work through the list in order.

3. Hobbies and things you are curious about

These suit a conversation where someone has mentioned an interest, or where you are both looking for a topic to explore. Leave room for casual interests as well as long-term hobbies.

11. What do you enjoy doing even when you are not especially good at it?
12. Is there a skill you would like to try just for fun?
13. What is one small thing a beginner should know about a hobby you enjoy?
14. What topic could tempt you to watch a much longer video than you planned?
15. Have you returned to an old interest lately?

A possible follow-up: If they enjoy drawing, ask “What do you find yourself drawing most often?” A concrete question can be easier to answer than “Tell me everything about drawing.”

Something to share back: “I'd like to learn a few chords on a keyboard. I don't have a whole musical career planned; one song would be a nice start.” This is an example of offering your own answer, not a line to copy if it is not true for you.

4. Food and everyday favourites

Food can give you a specific subject without needing much shared background. Keep questions about preferences, and let the other person choose what they want to share.

16. What is a simple snack you never seem to get tired of?
17. Which food would you like to learn to make?
18. Is there an ingredient you like adding to almost everything?
19. What is an underrated breakfast, in your opinion?
20. If we swapped one easy food recommendation, what would yours be?

A possible follow-up: If they mention a dish you do not know, try “How would you describe it to someone who hasn't tried it?” You can be interested without pretending to recognise it or turning the chat into a cooking quiz.

5. Light choices and a little imagination

Use these if the conversation feels playful. Give your own answer too, and let an unexpected choice become a topic rather than insisting on the options you offered.

21. For a relaxed afternoon, would you choose a bookshop, a park or a café?
22. If you could borrow a skill for one day, what would you use it for?
23. Would you rather try a new hobby with instructions or work it out as you go?
24. What ordinary object deserves a small improvement, and what would you change?
25. If you made a playlist for doing nothing in particular, what would its first song be?

A possible follow-up: For the afternoon question, “What would make it a good afternoon for you?” gives them room to go beyond the three choices. “Actually, I'd stay home” is a perfectly useful answer too.

6. Invitations to tell a small story

Save these for when you are already exchanging a little more. They invite an anecdote without asking for a secret, a major achievement or someone's most personal memory.

26. When did a small change of plan turn out well for you?
27. What is something you tried once and would happily do again?
28. Have you ever misunderstood a word in a funny way?
29. What is a small thing you made or fixed that you felt pleased with?
30. Has anyone introduced you to an interest you would not have found on your own?

A possible follow-up: If they describe fixing something, ask “Which part took the most figuring out?” Follow the detail they seem interested in, rather than hunting for a more impressive story.

If no example comes to mind, move on easily: “Nothing comes to mind for me either. Want a different question?” There is no need to turn remembering into a task.

Let the answer choose what comes next

A list is useful until you find something you both want to talk about. Then you can leave it behind. Ask about a detail, offer a related thought, or let the other person change direction. One question and a shared story can be enough for a good conversation.

Have a question in mind? Start a conversation and let the reply guide you. You do not need to reach question thirty, or even question two.