7 questions to help start a conversation with anyone
Relations / / December 19, 2019
Imagine you are sitting in the company of new friends, colleagues or even your parents halves. All are silent because they do not know how to start a conversation. The silence became unbearable, and you think that you could hear the clock ticking. This situation can be changed if to ask the right questions.
Question 1. How do you know X?
Option. How did you get to this party?
A simple question helps establish a common, that you have with someone. This is the easiest way to make contact and find a subject for discussion.
In the worst case you can always marvel at how different roads came to the same party. And it is an occasion to ask more and more questions.
Question 2. And what exactly do you mean?
Option. I never heard of (a) about it! How it works?
Actually, we do not really like to ask again and specify. Because in this case, we look stupid and uneducated. It seems that have overlooked something, what everyone else has long known.
But here tactic is to feel like a novice enthusiast. Then your questions will be pleasing to the interlocutor. In addition, you will be asked about what everyone around us is interesting to know, and it will make the conversation more pleasant.
Question 3. Why did you decide to do this?
Option. How did you get into this industry?
People love to talk about themselves. A similar question provokes a person on the account from which you will be able to isolate specific details, then to use them for the development of the conversation. You can find out what went to the same university or worked in the same industry. And you can continue an interesting conversation for both of you.
Question 4. What do you like most about (...)?
Option. I really liked (the speaker, a bouquet of flowers, the boulevard), and what do you like?
In the same way as in the previous version, you will simultaneously establish a connection with the person and provoke it into a statement of opinion.
The fun begins when people disagree with your preferences. For example, if you say that the speaker was interesting, and the other person almost fell asleep on his lectures. This ensures that the conversation would never end.
Question 5. What's your favorite restaurant?
Option. Where can I go to do not meet the crowd of tourists?
People like to be experts. If you're new in town and met a local, rest assured that it will tell you all the secrets of this place. Advise where to go, where to eat and how to walk.
Conveniently! You do not just talk to the interlocutor, but also get a lot of useful information.
Question 6. Why do you think so?
Option. Strange, I thought (...), and you say that things are very wrong.
Usually people with great pleasure make allegations about a career or a hobby city. Something like: "Now is not the best time to start a career in this industry."
If you do not let the other party to take sides on this thesis and ask to talk about the details and the reasons for such Opinion, then, first of all, show that you are listening carefully, and secondly, show a genuine interest in the subject conversations.
Question 7. What was the most difficult in this way?
Option. If you had to start over again, what would you do differently?
People like to talk about how they overcome all obstacles and achieved their goal. Such a conversation is sure to be emotional.
Particularly well this question will work, if you want to start a conversation with someone you really respect: an author, speaker, leader in the field. Starting a conversation with such a question, you can get not only a lengthy response, but also a valuable lesson.