Conversation Starters for Different Community Contexts

Event-Based Settings

Classes, Workshops, and Learning Environments

• “What inspired you to take this class?”
• “Have you done anything like this before?”
• “What are you hoping to get out of this experience?”
• “What did you think about the [specific aspect] the instructor mentioned?”
• “I’m finding [specific element] challenging. How’s it going for you?”

Conferences and Professional Events

• “What sessions have you attended so far?”
• “What’s been your highlight of the event so far?”
• “What brought you to this conference?”
• “How does this connect to your work?”
• “Have you been to this event in previous years?”

Community Meetings and Local Events

• “How long have you lived in the area?”
• “What other community events do you usually attend?”
• “What do you think about the [topic/issue] being discussed?”
• “What made you interested in coming tonight?”
• “Have you been involved with this group/issue before?”

Recurring Settings

Regular Activity Groups (Sports, Crafts, etc.)

• “How long have you been doing [activity]?”
• “What got you started with this?”
• “Do you have any tips for someone fairly new to this?”
• “I noticed your [equipment/technique/approach]. Could you tell me about it?”
• “What other [similar activities] do you enjoy?”

Neighborhood Spaces

• “How long have you lived/worked in this neighborhood?”
• “What’s your favorite local spot around here?”
• “Have you been to the [local event/place] yet?”
• “I’m looking for a good [local service]. Any recommendations?”
• “What changes have you seen in this area over time?”

Regular Venues (Cafés, Gyms, etc.)

• “I see you here often. I’m [name].”
• “I love this place for their [specific feature]. What brings you here regularly?”
• “I’m trying to establish a routine of coming here. How often do you visit?”
• “That [book/laptop/workout routine] caught my eye. Mind if I ask about it?”
• “Have you tried the [new offering/feature] here yet?”

One-Time Settings

Public Transportation

• “That [book/device] looks interesting. How are you finding it?”
• “This [delay/weather/situation] is something else, isn’t it?”
• “I’m not familiar with this route. Does this [train/bus] stop at [location]?”
• “That’s a [interesting item/bag/etc.]. Mind if I ask where you found it?”
• “I’m heading to [event/area]. Have you been there before?”

Waiting Situations (Queues, Waiting Rooms)

• “Have you been waiting long?”
• “Do you know how much longer the wait might be?”
• “I’m here for [reason]. What brings you here today?”
• “I’m new to [this place/service]. Have you been here before?”
• “That’s a great [item of clothing/accessory/etc.]. Where did you find it?”

Shared Experiences (Bad Weather, Service Delays, etc.)

• “Quite the [rain/snow/heat], isn’t it? How’s it affecting your day?”
• “These delays are frustrating. How are you holding up?”
• “We seem to be in this together! I’m [name], by the way.”
• “Have you experienced [this situation] here before?”
• “Any ideas how long this might continue?”

Online-to-Offline Transitions

First In-Person Meetings

• “It’s great to finally meet in person! You’re [exactly as/different than] I imagined from our online conversations.”
• “I enjoyed our discussion about [topic] online. I’d love to hear more about your perspective.”
• “How does this compare to what you expected from our online interactions?”
• “I remember you mentioned [detail from online conversation]. How’s that going?”
• “It’s nice to add a face and voice to our messages!”

Group Meetups from Online Communities

• “Which user are you on the [platform]? I’m [username].”
• “How long have you been part of the online community?”
• “What made you decide to come to an in-person meetup?”
• “Have you met anyone else from the group before today?”
• “How does the real-life vibe compare to the online space?”

Universal Approaches

Genuine Compliments

• “That’s a great [item]. Mind if I ask where you found it?”
• “I couldn’t help noticing your [skill/approach]. Have you been doing that long?”
• “Your comment about [topic] was really insightful. What got you interested in that?”
• “The way you [handled situation/explained concept] was impressive. Do you have a background in that?”
• “I love your [style/energy/perspective]. It reminds me of [positive comparison].”

Shared Observations

• “I noticed [something in the environment]. What do you make of it?”
• “This [place/event/situation] has such a [quality]. Have you been here before?”
• “That [recent occurrence] was interesting. Did you catch that too?”
• “The [aspect of environment] here is different from what I expected. How does it seem to you?”
• “Everyone seems to be [observation]. Have you noticed that too?”

Requests for Recommendations

• “I’m new to [activity/area]. Any suggestions you’d recommend?”
• “I’m looking to try more [category]. Do you have any favorites?”
• “You seem knowledgeable about [topic]. Any resources you’d suggest for someone wanting to learn more?”
• “I’m trying to find a good [service/product]. Have you found one you like?”
• “What’s the best [local offering] that people might not know about?”

Offers of Assistance

• “You seem to be [situation]. Could I help with that?”
• “I have extra [item]. Would you like one?”
• “I’ve done this [activity/process] before. Would you like some tips?”
• “That looks [challenging/heavy/complicated]. Would an extra hand help?”
• “I’m heading to [location]. Can I bring you anything?”

Delivery Tips

Body Language

• Maintain open posture (uncrossed arms, relaxed shoulders)
• Offer a genuine smile appropriate to the context
• Position yourself at a comfortable distance for conversation
• Make appropriate eye contact (culturally dependent)
• Turn your body toward the person you’re addressing

Vocal Qualities

• Use a warm, friendly tone
• Speak clearly and at a moderate pace
• Match your volume to the environment
• Allow your genuine curiosity to come through
• End with slight upward inflection to invite response

Follow-Up Techniques

• Listen attentively to their response
• Ask relevant follow-up questions based on what they share
• Share a brief related experience of your own
• Find common ground to build upon
• Express appreciation for their perspective

Recovery Strategies

• If someone seems uninterested, gracefully conclude with “Nice chatting with you”
• If you stumble over words, simply smile and try again more simply
• If you misread the situation, acknowledge briefly and adjust
• If conversation stalls, introduce a new starter on a different topic
• Remember that not every conversation will flow—that’s normal and not a reflection on you