How to Start Conversation

 Your degree of comfort with being-yourself decides how free you would be communicating with others AND the Quality of your relationship, success and popularity.

If you want to become a Master-Communicator – then you have to constantly work on sharpening the finer aspects of communication* like –

• 1.Asking-questions*
• 2.Empathy*
• 3.Listening* [with intent to understand and not reply]
• 4.Resolving-conflicts* through open-dialogue*
• 5.Courage-to-express*-yourself, Assertiveness*
• 6.Having-Discussions*[rather than arguments to prove yourself right and also to show-off how smart you are] etc.

{all the *marked ones have detailed DIY blogs in "from the heart of Subhashis" in "Success Unlimited Mantra"}

If you have polished refined the subtle art of the aforesaid finesse – then

• 1.The world will look up to you
• 2.You would attain an enviable and unparalleled Personal-power*.
• 3.You would attract and build relationship* with right type of powerful* people
• 4.You would get help from the right people
• 5.You would have meaningful relationship with those who matters and are power-to-be You will be yourself*[this is the best gift you can give to yourself as well people closer to you
• 6.You will also have lesser degree of anxiety* and stress*
• 7.Your personality will that be of Sophisticated-Classy-Sassy one

On the other hand, if you don't focus on polishing your communication and conversational-intelligence – you would not be able to build trust, rapport and connectivity with people.

It is possible that You are already a natural conversation-starter and being and extrovert you love meeting and connecting with new people -BUT – are you comfortable with walking up to someone powerful at an event—and start talking and leave a lasting-impression.

The process of starting a conversation in any of the meeting, gathering, event or even with a stranger starts with breaking-ice to make both parties comfortable with each-other.

And if you are an introvert and shy – it is definitely advisable if you have a collection of [well-thought of + practiced + tested] – icebreakers.

Most introverts are misunderstood, ignored or not considered weighty – as far as their abilities, skills and competencies are concerned.

This article is about creating a bouquet of situational questions as well as conversational topics – you must create your own – these are just example starters.

The best ones are those which are spontaneous and directly from your heart.

A big misconception among the masses about introverts and Shy's is – that they don't enjoy the company of people.

They enjoy the company of people as extrovert do – but they need me-time* to re-energize themselves.

The challenge for introverts is not having a conversation – BUT - initiating the interaction.

Whether we are an introvert or an extrovert - all of us can remember and recall awkward moments in initiating and maintaining conversations.

Pre-requisite of a great conversation starter

• 1.Curiosity element
• 2.A topic that is non-threatening or non-judgmental [to involve the insecured/ low-self-esteem people]
• 3.A subject – where all can participate
• 4.Element of controversy – are – good conversational starters – as long as they don't hurt or attack anyone in anyway
• 5.Should have broad scope of answering to solicit engaging responses
• 6.Non-routine, non-conventional topics

Sample Conversation Topics - Professional Networking Events

• 1.The Global Scenario Affecting That Particular Industries
• 2.Technological Changes
• 3.The disruptive trends
• 4.The cultural in various organization
• 5.The challenges you are facing

Questions/Topics for DATING and/or with Strangers

[Just don't mix the dating questions with the other people]

• 1.Your date has probably figured out you are an introvert and has agreed to go out with you - so you should never try speak all the time out of sheer nervousness
• 2.Practice Classy Pick-up lines*
• 3.Read my blog Master-Pillow-talks*
• 4.Don't try to impress but to express yourself*
• 5.Read my blog on Humor* and making-others-laugh*
• 6.Talk about your nervousness
• 7.Turn your weakness into your strength* by having a conversation around it
• 8.Assume that your date is an old friend and start conversing as if you have known him/her since ages
• 9.Say the things you normally say, not what you think she expects to hear
• 10. On your initial dates – take walk in park, visit places of interest like galleries and museum or zoo etc

Questions/Topics to talk - When ice is broken

• 1.Their biggest dreams
• 2.What makes them come alive
• 3.What makes them feel bored
• 4.What makes them go out of their ways
• 5.Their struggles past and current
• 6.Their most
• 7.Embarrassing moments
• 8.Happiest moments
• 9.Proudest moments
• 10. Successful moments
• 11. Memorable moments
• 12. Heart-break moments
• 13. Their hobbies and interests
• 14. Their Most Annoying pet-peeves
• 15. A tricky problem that needs solving
• 16. The parts of you that you don't share with just anyone
• 17. An event that changed your life
• 18. Books, Music, Movies
• 19. Anything genuine and intelligent
• 20. Make a statement to express your opinion or views – the seek theirs by asking a question
• 21. Being honest and being yourself
• 22. Some classy jokes – these you have to master the art of delivery
• 23. Something that you feel many of them or that particular person may agree – like These networking events are so crazy and start a conversation about your mutual distaste
• 24. Something about your own what you might be feeling awkward with like - I can't believe how under-dressed I am for this event OR The only person I know here is myself and the person serving drinks and I just met him two minutes ago
• 25. Ask about something that the other person would be happy to share with you Like Any chance you know a great sushi place around here
• 26. Their turn offs
• 27. What countries have you traveled to - What was your worst vacation experience – which one was the best ad most memorable
• 28. Compliment something other than someone's looks
• 29. Ask for their honest opinion on a topic you are really interested in

Few Interesting Questions – taken from Internet

• 1.If You Could Have An All-Expenses Paid Trip To See Any Famous World Monument, Which Monument Would You Choose
• 2.What Job Doesn't Exist Now But Will Exist In The Future?
• 3.What's Your Favorite Cheesy Pick-Up Line
• 4.Who Would Be The Worst Person To Be Stuck In An Elevator With?
• 5.If You Could Break Any World Record Which One Would It Be?
• 6.Do You Think That Age Matters In A Relationship Or That It's Just A Number?
• 7.How Important Is Family To You?
• 8.What Activity Calms You Down The Most?
• 9.What's Something You To Do The Old-Fashioned, Non-Tech Way?
• 10. What's Your Favorite Childhood Memory?
• 11. Have You Ever Been On A Blind Date?
• 12. What Was The Most Dangerous Situation You've Ever Been Involved In?
• 13. If Someone Asked You To Give An Impromptu Ted Talk, What Would You Talk About?
• 14. If You Could Instantly Master Any Skill, What Would It Be?
• 15. Do You Dream - What Was Your Last Dream About
• 16. What Accomplishments Are You Most Proud Of?
• 17. What Are Some Of Your Greatest Hopes?
• 18. What Do You Think others would say about Your Most Attractive Quality
• 19. Where Do You Go/What Do You Do When You Need Inspiration?
• 20. If A Genie Gave You Three Wishes, What Would They Be?
• 21. What's The Most Meaningful Complement You've Ever Received?
• 22. What Skill Do You Wish More People Took The Time To Learn?
• 23. What Is The Biggest Waste Of Time In Your Life?
• 24. What Is Something That Can't Be Taught And Can Only Be Learned With Age?
• 25. What Is Increasingly Becoming Socially Acceptable, But Shouldn't Be?
• 26. What One Job Do You Think Computers/Machines Will Never Replace?
• 27. Who Do You Compare Yourself To Most?
• 28. Is There Something You Stopped Doing, Even Though You Love It? Why'd You Stop?
• 29. Are You The Type Of Person With Lots Of Friends Or Just A Few Close Ones? Why?
• 30. Where Have You Gone And Felt The Most Out Of Place?
• 31. Who Or What Is The Greatest Enemy Of Mankind?
• 32. What Does Love Mean To You?
• 33. What Or Who Would You Sacrifice Your Life For?
• 34. What Do You Wish Your Brain Was Better At Doing?
• 35. What Is Your Current Life Mantra?
• 36. What's Your Weirdest Talent?
• 37. What's the most interesting thing you've read lately?
• 38. If you were in charge of the playlist, which song would you play next?
• 39. What's the best gift you've ever gotten?
• 40. If you were giving a presentation, what would the topic be?
• 41. Have you traveled anywhere interesting lately?
• 42. Working on anything exciting lately? What's the most important thing I should know about you?
• 43. When you were a kid what did you think your life would look like now?
• 44. What was your worst fashion disaster? What's the most embarrassing thing you did at school / when you were a kid? What's your plan if there was a zombie apocalypse
• 45. What is something popular now that annoys you?
• 46. What's the best / worst thing about your work/school?
• 47. Are you a very organized person?
• 48. What is the strangest dream you have ever had?
• 49. Who in your life brings you the most joy?
• 50. Where is the most beautiful place you have been?
• 51. Where is the most beautiful place near where you live?
• 52. What is the most disgusting habit some people have?
• 53. Where is the worst place you have been stuck for a long time?
• 54. What is something that really annoys you but doesn't bother most people?
• 55. How should success be measured? And by that measurement, who is the most successful person you know?
• 56. What do you do to improve your mood when you are in a bad mood?
• 57. What are you best at?
• 58. What cartoons did you still watch
• 59. Do you like horror movies? Why or why not?
• 60. What old trend is coming back these days?
• 61. What is a fashion trend you are really glad went away?
• 62. What is your favorite cuisine or type of food?