33 best conversation topics for talking to strangers

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Somehow you have ended up somewhere you don’t know anyone. You and someone else keep glancing at each other, and you think it would be nice to break the ice, but how? Pick one of the topics in today’s article and see how the conversation develops. Choose your conversation topics carefully, depending on the event you are at and what you hope to get out of the conversation.

Why start a conversation with strangers

When you spend too long in an unfamiliar place, you start to get bored. What can make time pass faster than human contact? Even if it doesn’t seem like a great idea at first, there is nothing wrong with it. Strangers are still just people, and they probably have exactly the same thoughts as you. We are often afraid to ask about something because we don’t want to look bad in front of others or embarrass ourselves. Yet what others think of us doesn’t matter at all. What matters is handling the situation. Standing at a bus stop and not sure it’s the right one? Just ask. You will get the information and maybe even start a conversation.

You can learn plenty of new things from other people, along with their experiences and answers to your questions. You might even form a friendship that lasts forever. In the end, you may also find that you are closer to the person than you first thought, because you know the same people and have friends in common. Life sometimes brings people our way who are connected, to us in some way without us knowing it. As they say, it’s a small world.

Building a network of contacts is very important and may come in handy in the future. So start a conversation wherever you are and get to know new people. Which topics should you choose?

Tip: Funny and interesting topics that the other person doesn’t come across very often are a big hit. The problem with these topics, however, is that they are often borderline.

The best conversation topics

To start a conversation at all, it helps to know what to ask. If you start with “How are you?“, that may also be where it ends. Choose from several topics that let you learn something about the person and the way they think, and even learn something from them.

1. Basic information

To get to know someone better, start with the basics. Find out what their current situation is in different areas of life and why. Our personality is reflected in the things we do. You can think something or talk a certain way, but it is your actual actions that really say something about you.

1. What do you study/where do you work? Why did you choose it?
2. Are you happy with your studies/job?
3. Where are you from?
4. What are your hobbies? How often do you do them?
5. What do you do in your free time?
6. What are you dealing with in your life at the moment?
7. What changes have you gone through recently?

2. School

Whatever our age, we have all been through some kind of school. Ask about their choices and how it went so you can understand the person better. If you suspect you are talking to someone who didn’t do much studying, skip this part completely or frame it differently.

1. What school are you attending/did you attend?
2. Did you enjoy school?
3. Why did you choose that school?
4. Why that particular subject?
5. What job did you want to do when you were studying?
6. Were you a good student?
7. Why did you (not) continue studying?
8. What would you study now?

3. Work

Work is a big part of our lives, so it’s good to choose a job we enjoy. Find out whether you share the same values and see work in the same way.

1. What do you do for a living?
2. Why do you do this particular job?
3. How much do you earn doing that?
4. Do you enjoy your job?
5. What job would you do if you could do anything?
6. What motivates you at work?
7. Do you have a good boss?
8. How do you choose a job?
9. Do you have any career goals?
10. Would you rather be employed or self-employed?
11. What was your first job/part-time job?

4. Relationships, love, sex

Relationships are the foundation of everything. This doesn’t just mean a partner, but getting along with people in general. The people around us can influence us a lot, which is why it’s important to build genuine relationships.

1. Do you have a partner? How long have you been together?
2. What kind of girls or guys do you like? Which of our mutual acquaintances do you fancy, and what attracts you to them?
3. What was your most interesting first date?
4. What do you think about polyamorous relationships or infidelity?
5. What was your worst date?
6. What is your relationship with your parents like?
7. What are your friends like, and what do you value most about them?
8. What is your relationship with yourself like? Do you love yourself?
9. Do you prefer being alone or with others?
10. Who around you do you respect most?
11. How do you show love?
12. What do you think matters most in a relationship?
13. How do you meet people?

5. Family

Now that we have touched on relationships, family is the factor that has influenced our lives the most. When we were little, we couldn’t assess a situation and respond to it, so our parents did it for us. Finding out what the other person was brought up to value will tell you a lot about them.

1. Do you have any siblings?
2. What was your childhood like?
3. What did your parents teach you to value when you were little?
4. What do you value most about your family?
5. On the other hand, what don’t you like about your family, and what would you change?
6. How much time do you spend with your family?
7. When did you move out of your parents’ home/when are you planning to move out?
8. Who is your favourite family member?

6. Dreams and goals

To move forward in life, it’s good to set goals you want to achieve. Many people just dream but never actually make their dreams come true. Find out how it is with your stranger.

1. What are your dreams, what would you wish for?
2. What do you want to achieve in life?
3. What do you want to achieve in the near future?
4. Have you already made any of your dreams come true?
5. Do you make New Year’s resolutions? How well do you keep them?
6. Who helps you reach your goals, who motivates you and gives you courage?

7. Food and drink

This topic is always suitable for conversation. Why? Because it brings us together as people (and also divides us).

1. What is your favourite food?
2. What food do you hate?
3. Which cuisine do you like best?
4. How often do you eat out?
5. What do you order most often in a restaurant?
6. How often do you cook?
7. Cooking or baking?
8. What strange food combination do you really enjoy?
9. Favourite drink?
10. Do you drink alcohol? How often? Favourite drink?

8. Entertainment

To understand how other people live, ask them about their free time. You may discover a shared interest you can enjoy together.

1. How often do you go to the cinema?
2. What podcasts do you like?
3. Do you use a streaming platform, and which series or films have caught your attention lately?
4. How often do you go to the theatre?
5. Do you go to parties?
6. What is guaranteed to entertain you when you’re bored?
7. Do you play computer games? Your favourite?
8. What about board games?
9. What would your ideal birthday party look like?

9. Films and series

Who doesn’t have a favourite series or film? Find out what kinds the person is interested in and build on that.

1. What genres do you like watching most?
2. Favourite film?
3. Favourite series?
4. Favourite actress/actor?
5. Do you like Marvel/DC?
6. Do you subscribe to Netflix or HBO?
7. Do you watch TV?
8. Czech or foreign productions?
9. Do you ever watch films/series in the original language with/without subtitles?

10. Books

These days reading can’t be taken for granted, but you might be the one to find someone who loves books as well.

1. Do you read books?
2. Your favourite book?
3. Favourite genre?
4. Favourite author?
5. Czech or foreign authors?
6. Do you buy books online or in a bricks-and-mortar shop?
7. Which book adaptation was filmed well?
8. Which book adaptation didn’t work as a film?
9. Do you read the book first and then watch the film, or the other way round?

11. Music

Music is also an essential part of our lives and accompanies us a great deal. The more you have in common, the better!

1. What music do you listen to?
2. Favourite song?
3. Favourite artist?
4. Do you pay for Spotify?
5. How often do you listen to the radio, and what is your favourite station?
6. Lyrics or melody?
7. Which music style can’t you stand?
8. Do you like old songs, so-called oldies? From which years?
9. Foreign or Czech music?

12. Lifestyle

You will certainly get on better with people who have the same or a similar mindset as you. Get to know theirs before you have to work it out yourself.

1. Do you live healthily? How exactly do you do it?
2. Do you smoke/did you smoke? Why don’t you quit/why did you quit?
3. Do you exercise? For how long, and what led you to it?
4. Do you prefer active or passive relaxation?
5. Do you pay attention to the quality of your sleep?
6. What do you do to feel good?
7. What do you do to avoid stress?
8. Do you practise meditation or yoga?
9. Are you a creature of habit, or do you like change?
10. Do you have any tattoos? What do they mean to you?

13. Abilities and skills

It’s good to know what we are good at and to be able to praise ourselves. Encourage the other person to do the same and learn something about them.

1. What are you great at, what are you good at?
2. What would you like to learn?
3. Do you play a musical instrument?
4. How good are your cooking/baking skills?
5. Can you fix things at home when you need to?
6. Do you have any special skill?
7. In which fields could you work with your skills?

14. Languages

The more languages you know, the more of a person you are. People who speak several languages can teach you a lot, and it also shows their diligence and desire to learn.

1. How many languages do you speak?
2. How did you learn your languages?
3. What level can you speak each of your languages at?
4. Which languages would you like to learn and why?
5. Can you make yourself understood when you are abroad?
6. Have you ever been on an exchange programme? What was it like?

15. Modern technology

Today’s world is moving forward at an incredible pace. Find out how well the other person can find their way in this world.

1. Are you interested in modern technology?
2. What brand of phone do you have?
3. What do you think of electric cars?
4. What do you think of cryptocurrencies?
5. How up to date do you feel with today’s world?

16. The Czech Republic

A topic close to all of us can give you an insight into the person’s way of thinking and how they reflect on the country they live in.

1. How do you like living in the Czech Republic?
2. What do you like most about the Czech Republic?
3. And what do you dislike?
4. What do you think of the government?
5. Do you vote in elections?
6. Your favourite city?
7. Where would you like to live?
8. Do you like the Czech language?
9. How would you describe Czechia to a foreigner?
10. What makes Czechia worth visiting?

17. The past

The past cannot be changed, but you can learn from it. Finding out about things from the past is always worthwhile, because it shapes what the present is like.

1. Which things in your past helped you grow the most?
2. A favourite memory?
3. If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be?
4. What in your past taught you a lesson so strongly that you will never forget it?
5. How have you changed the most over the last 10 years?
6. What advice would you give your younger self?

18. The future

On the other hand, we also need to look ahead and think about what we expect from life.

1. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
2. At what age do you want to have children (or did you have them)?
3. When do you want to get married (or when did you get married)?
4. Would you rather live in a flat or a house?
5. What are your dreams in life?

19. Values

Values are definitely an important topic of conversation, because they say a lot about a person. They are the basic building block of any relationship.

1. What matters most to you in life?
2. Good money in a job you don’t enjoy, or a smaller salary in a job that fulfils you?
3. What must a friendship never be without?
4. What must a relationship never be without?
5. Which of your qualities do you value most?
6. Which of your qualities do you still need to work on?

20. Problems

Everyone has their own approach to how they see problems and how they solve them. You can get inspired and perhaps even enriched.

1. What are the most common problems you deal with?
2. How do you solve problems?
3. Do you need help from others with your problems, or do you prefer to solve them yourself?
4. Are you more of a listener, or are you the one who talks?
5. What is not a problem for you but is for other people?

21. The supernatural

It is not a topic for everyone, but it is definitely one of the more interesting ones. Either your opinions will differ or you will find a kindred spirit.

1. Do you believe in the supernatural? In what exactly?
2. Have you ever tried to summon spirits?
3. Do you believe in life after death?
4. Do you believe in God?
5. Do you have your own theory about how life works?
6. Do you believe in horoscopes? What is your star sign?

22. Favourite things

Everyone has something they love and won’t hear a word against. Shared interests can bring you closer and start a meaningful discussion.

1. What do you really enjoy, what is “your topic”?
2. Do you collect anything?
3. A favourite quote or motto you live by?
4. What could you do all the time without ever getting bored of it?
5. Something you have loved since childhood and still do?

23. Humour

Life would not work without humour. If you find someone with the same sense of humour, you have hit the jackpot.

1. What type of humour do you like best?
2. Who has the same sense of humour as you?
3. What type of humour do you dislike?
4. A favourite joke?
5. Do you think humour has limits? Where does it end for you?

24. Personal growth

Personal growth is not a matter of course for everyone, but it is definitely beneficial: it strengthens your personality and shows that a person wants to achieve something, which is always a good sign.

1. How are you becoming a better person?
2. What does personal growth mean to you?
3. What would you like to learn in future as part of your personal growth?
4. Who is your role model?
5. What do you know today that you didn’t know before?

25. Travel

For most people, travel is an interesting topic they love to talk about. Find out how the other person feels about it!

1. Do you like travelling?
2. Where have you been?
3. Summer or winter holiday?
4. Abroad or Czechia?
5. Where would you like to go?
6. Would you like to live abroad?
7. Can you imagine spending Christmas somewhere warm?
8. Are you afraid of flying?
9. Bus or train?

26. Holidays and celebrations

Holidays have always been an inseparable part of our culture, and opinions on them differ. Some people would rather skip them, others cannot imagine life without them.

1. Do you celebrate holidays?
2. Which holidays are among your favourites?
3. Which holidays do you dislike?
4. How do you usually spend holidays?
5. Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day?
6. Do you have a favourite holiday that is celebrated abroad?

27. The weather

The great thing about the weather is that it makes it easy to start a conversation: when you don’t know what to say, simply comment on the current weather. What’s more, another person can give you a new perspective on things.

1. Your favourite weather?
2. Favourite season? Why do you like it?
3. What weather can’t you stand?
4. What clothes do you wear in each season?
5. Which season do you dislike and why?

28. Today

Every day should be lived to the full, so focus on the good things that happened today and pass them on.

1. How was your day today?
2. What else do you have ahead of you today?
3. What went well for you today?
4. What would you change about today if you could?
5. What is your wish for today?

29. Pets

A big topic that touches everyone a little. People love talking about their pets, because they form the same bond with them as with people.

1. Do you have a pet? What is its name?
2. Do you want to have a pet in future?
3. Dog or cat?
4. What is the best and worst thing about having a pet?
5. If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?

30. Finances

A sensitive topic for some, but an important one. Learn to manage your finances better with tips from others, or teach others how to handle money.

1. How good are you at managing money?
2. Do you invest? In what?
3. Do you think you can give others financial advice?
4. How do you choose a bank?
5. Are you more of a saver or a spender?

31. Bad habits

We are only human, and probably all of us have some bad habit. Even if it is not something you want to boast about, the person next to you may be struggling with it too and can tell you how to get rid of it.

1. Do you have any bad habits?
2. Which bad habit did you have but no longer do? How did you get rid of it?
3. Which bad habit don’t you understand?
4. Has your bad habit ever turned into an addiction?
5. Which bad habit have you had for so long that it has become part of you?

32. Fashion and beauty

A topic mainly for women, who are surrounded by it literally everywhere. Chat with them about it and find out what they like.

1. Do you follow trends, or do you have your own distinctive style?
2. Natural beauty or a little enhancement with make-up?
3. What do you think of cosmetic surgery?
4. Do you buy branded clothes and cosmetics, or does the brand not matter to you?
5. Where do you buy clothes and cosmetics, and what is your favourite shop?

33. Routines and habits

A rut is nothing you should stick to, but a routine or habit that improves your day can only help. Our days are so different, which makes this a great opportunity to get inspiration and time for change!

1. Do you have a routine you stick to regularly?
2. Which activity couldn’t you get through the day without?
3. What does your typical day look like? Do you try to make changes, or is it more of a set routine?
4. What time do you get up every morning and go to bed?
5. Name one thing you do to make your day better.

In conclusion

Wherever you are, take a moment and strike up a conversation with someone you like the look of. We meet the best people unexpectedly. Leave your shyness behind and go for it!