39 questions to help you make small talk with anyone

39 questions to help you make small talk with anyone39 questions to help you make small talk with anyoneTheres nothing quite like breaking the conversational barrier with a friend or co-worker. In order to reach that level of chummy rapport, though, you have to endure a bit of small talk.Lots of people find it difficult to make small talk, and its no surprise why Youre often going in cold, trying to understand someone about whom you know nothing. Small talk can be a great catalyst for real conversation - and get you to your end goal of facilitating a friendly rapport with someone - but you have to know how to do it.The following are 39 of the best questions you can have up your sleeve when you need to make small talk with someone. Forego the traditional weather-related questions and delve deeper to find your commonalities and their quirks. These little things are what makes the difference between acquaintances and friends, and you can uncover them with even the littlest bit of conv ersational finesse.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWhats the brde book you read? Would you recommend it?What charities or social causes do you support?Whats the quirkiest thing about the town where you grew up?What was your first job?What animal do you think is your spirit animal - the animal that best represents who you are?Whats your best party trick? Any other hidden talents?How did you get into your field of work? Would you like to try something different?Whats the best restaurant in your area of the city?Whats the most exotic food youve ever tried?Which item on your bucket list will be the easiest to tackle? The most difficult?Tell me one out-of-the-ordinary thing about your day today.Whats your favorite accessory to wear? How many do you own?Whats the best thing youve ever bought at a thrift shop/flea market/yard sale?Would you rather explore a new city or relax on the b each when you go on vacation?If you could have any superpower, what would you spielblttchen?Whats your guilty pleasure TV show/musical artist/movie?What city have you visited that you found most inspiring?How did you choose your major in college?When you were young, what did you want to be as a grown-up?What was your first car? What do you use for transportation now?How do you clear your mind after a long day?What film last made you laugh?Whats the most unbelievable-but-true thing thats ever happened to you?Where have you traveled that inspired you?What non-work, passion project are you working on?Do you follow the zodiac? Do you think your sign represents you?If you had a free round-trip airplane ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go?Whats the best concert youve ever seen?Who in your life would you choose to be your lebensgefhrte on The Amazing Race?Whats your go-to meal to cook if you want to impress a dinner guest?Do you collect anything? Why?Whats the best advice a nyone has ever given to you?What musical act are you dying to see live?What was your senior quote in your high school yearbook?Have you ever loved a movie that critics hated, or vice-versa?What was your favorite teen movie?What podcast(s) do you listen to to get you through the commute?Do you take any classes or practice a particular hobby? Would you like to?Whats the craziest way youve ever traveled? Hot-air balloon, camel, blimp ?Finish it offOnce you have memorized the small talk questions you want to use at your next party or networking event, brush up on your delivery. Even if youre not one to make small talk, with an waffenvorrat full of questions you can ask with confidence, youll be chatting it up in no time at all.Its also not a bad idea to rehearse how youll make your exit from the conversation. You dont want to leave someone questioning the entire conversation because you didnt know how to properly bid him or her farewell. So, excuse yourself politely and end things on a high.Finally, always learn the persons name and remember it the next time you see him or her, whether its later at the same party or at another gathering. Theres a difference between listening and hearing, and relationships are formed only when youre really hearing what someone has to say. And, even though its small talk, you can still learn a lot if youre paying attention.Now get out there and socialize without an ounce of dread. You know what youre doing, and youll be very pleased that you practiced.Thisarticlewas originally published onYourCoffeeBreak.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people