“Nice weather we’re having, isn’t it?” “Have I told you about my recent surgery?” “How ‘bout them Browns?”
Yuck. And yawn.
Conversation starters like those will make your party fall flat and fast. Whenever you gather people together in your home, your job as host includes making conversation, being prepared with some good conversation starters, and starting some stimulating discussions.
The best hosts are those who gracefully and seamlessly keep a pleasant and stimulating conversation going at all times and who bring every party guest into the conversation.
Good conversation is especially important if you’re determined not to play party games or have any organized party activities.
That’s not to say that games aren’t the perfect party solution in many situations. If the conversation really starts to lag and it’s clear your guests aren’t having a good time, go ahead and bring out Apples to Apples, Pictionary or Trivial Pursuit. Your guests may moan and groan about playing a party game, but once it gets going, you’ll be the host who saved the party. Some new games are on the market that seem to lend themselves to parties of unrelated people are Gift Trap and Questionary, to name a few.
General Party Conversation Guidelines
Some Ideas for Small Group Casual Conversation
When you’re in a small group and just want to get the conversation rolling, here are a few things you can say to almost anyone.
#1 “What are your plans for the weekend?”
#2 “I just finished the best book; what are you guys reading?” Or “I just saw the best movie? Have you seen any good movies lately?”
#3 “I’m having the best/worst time with my new computer/new software.” Be prepared to get an overload of advice and recommendations. More than their kids and their pets, people love talking about how they use their computers.
Some Ideas for Organized Group Conversations
In larger gatherings, if you want to start a more organized discussion, try some of these conversation starters. “What if” questions are fun because you get to use your imagination, reveal something about yourself without being too practical.
#1 “If you were going to be alone on a deserted island and could only take one DVD with you and one CD, what would you take?” This question is way better than, “What’s your favorite move and what’s your favorite CD?” because you have to choose something you’d be willing to watch and listen to over and over again. And don't get too caught up in the question "If I'm on an island, will I have electricity?" It's just for fun.
#2 “If you got to ask God one question, what would it be?” You can also ask this question about the president, your mayor, or a historical figure like Albert Einstein.
#3 “If there is such a thing as reincarnation, what would you like to come back as in your next life?”
#4 “If you could invent something that would make life easier, what would it do?” Don’t be surprised if some of your guests have already “invented” things in their heads and want to tell about them.
#5 “In the movie about your life, who would play you? Your spouse? Your friends and family?” This is a funny conversation. Many people imagine actors playing themselves and some of the major characters in their lives.
More advice on how to start a party conversation
Table Topics has boxes of cards with conversation starters, perfect for parties, but also good for long car trips, waiting in airports and other times when you need a conversation jump start. Table Topics is sold online at www.tabletopics.com and comes in different topics – book club, girls night out, teen, wine, golf and more. Table Topics also offers coasters, cocktail napkins and place cards printed with conversation starters.
More Quirky Questions: More Conversation Starters to Get Your Next Dinner Party Going by Australian radio talk show host Sandy McCutcheon offers a slew of conversation starters for your dinner party, from “Who in history do you think you could have married?” to “What’s the wickedest thought you ever had?”
Mary Gardner, a public speaking expert, coach and author, writes about making small talk and party conversation in an article in StatSheets.com
Have some of your own great party conversation starters? Join LesTout’s discussion on Party Conversation Starters and share them with us.
Yuck. And yawn.
Conversation starters like those will make your party fall flat and fast. Whenever you gather people together in your home, your job as host includes making conversation, being prepared with some good conversation starters, and starting some stimulating discussions.
The best hosts are those who gracefully and seamlessly keep a pleasant and stimulating conversation going at all times and who bring every party guest into the conversation.
Good conversation is especially important if you’re determined not to play party games or have any organized party activities.
That’s not to say that games aren’t the perfect party solution in many situations. If the conversation really starts to lag and it’s clear your guests aren’t having a good time, go ahead and bring out Apples to Apples, Pictionary or Trivial Pursuit. Your guests may moan and groan about playing a party game, but once it gets going, you’ll be the host who saved the party. Some new games are on the market that seem to lend themselves to parties of unrelated people are Gift Trap and Questionary, to name a few.
General Party Conversation Guidelines
- Steer away from politics and religion as conversation topics. Too bad, really, since some of the most stimulating conversation comes from those two topics. But until you know your guests and what offends them, don’t get into these two topics. Stimulating conversation can quickly turn into offensive conversation in these areas.
- To get a conversation rolling, you sometimes don’t need to ask a question; just start talking about yourself. Start talking about your favorite vacation and someone else is sure to jump in with where they recently traveled and the ball is rolling.
- If you see a party guest who is sitting alone, removed from the conversation, direct your next comment to him or her specifically. Talking directly to a person, using his name and making friendly eye contact will draw him into the conversation and give him a much needed opening in which to add something.
- If you’ve worked hard to orchestrate a party conversation and it changes gears, changes subjects and takes off on its own, don’t work to bring it back. Let the party conversation take off on its own. It doesn’t need you anymore. Go refill drinks.
- Look around the group you’re in before you toss in a conversation starter. How likely are they to want to talk about the NHL playoff game? How interested will they be in your discovery of a new stain remover? If most of the people in the group are in their 20s, will they want to hear about your ‘70s music collection? Just like public speakers play to their audiences, the party host should know something about his listeners.
- Number one rule in all human relations: Everybody likes to talk about himself, with very few exceptions. Even shy people, when they talk, want to talk about themselves. Ask questions in which people can jump in with their opinion, thoughts and story. As a successful party host, be a good listener. Only talk about yourself to get the conversation back on track or to jump start a lull.
Some Ideas for Small Group Casual Conversation
When you’re in a small group and just want to get the conversation rolling, here are a few things you can say to almost anyone.
#1 “What are your plans for the weekend?”
#2 “I just finished the best book; what are you guys reading?” Or “I just saw the best movie? Have you seen any good movies lately?”
#3 “I’m having the best/worst time with my new computer/new software.” Be prepared to get an overload of advice and recommendations. More than their kids and their pets, people love talking about how they use their computers.
Some Ideas for Organized Group Conversations
In larger gatherings, if you want to start a more organized discussion, try some of these conversation starters. “What if” questions are fun because you get to use your imagination, reveal something about yourself without being too practical.
#1 “If you were going to be alone on a deserted island and could only take one DVD with you and one CD, what would you take?” This question is way better than, “What’s your favorite move and what’s your favorite CD?” because you have to choose something you’d be willing to watch and listen to over and over again. And don't get too caught up in the question "If I'm on an island, will I have electricity?" It's just for fun.
#2 “If you got to ask God one question, what would it be?” You can also ask this question about the president, your mayor, or a historical figure like Albert Einstein.
#3 “If there is such a thing as reincarnation, what would you like to come back as in your next life?”
#4 “If you could invent something that would make life easier, what would it do?” Don’t be surprised if some of your guests have already “invented” things in their heads and want to tell about them.
#5 “In the movie about your life, who would play you? Your spouse? Your friends and family?” This is a funny conversation. Many people imagine actors playing themselves and some of the major characters in their lives.
More advice on how to start a party conversation
Table Topics has boxes of cards with conversation starters, perfect for parties, but also good for long car trips, waiting in airports and other times when you need a conversation jump start. Table Topics is sold online at www.tabletopics.com and comes in different topics – book club, girls night out, teen, wine, golf and more. Table Topics also offers coasters, cocktail napkins and place cards printed with conversation starters.
More Quirky Questions: More Conversation Starters to Get Your Next Dinner Party Going by Australian radio talk show host Sandy McCutcheon offers a slew of conversation starters for your dinner party, from “Who in history do you think you could have married?” to “What’s the wickedest thought you ever had?”
Mary Gardner, a public speaking expert, coach and author, writes about making small talk and party conversation in an article in StatSheets.com
Have some of your own great party conversation starters? Join LesTout’s discussion on Party Conversation Starters and share them with us.
