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60+ Small Talk Questions to Get Real Conversation Flowing

Small talk can have a big impact. Here are small talk questions to get your conversation moving.

Photo by Lewis Burrows
Small talk is a polarizing type of communication. 
While some people love using small talk to initiate dialogue comfortably, others view it as meaningless and surface-value chatter. 
Here at Career Contessa, we believe that small talk can be the key to opening up conversations between colleagues, when attending networking events, and in all types of group settings. 
Remember that the key to successful small talk is to be genuinely interested in the other person's responses and use their answers as a springboard for further conversation.
Small talk is a way to build rapport and find common ground with others, so active listening and sharing your own thoughts and experiences can make the conversation more engaging and enjoyable.

Table of Contents 

Small Talk Questions to Ask

Small Talk Questions + Phrases to Open Conversation 

The following small talk questions and phrases are meant to open a conversation with light subjects that could feed into more mutual understanding between the participants. Here are some ideas:
  • How's your day going so far?
  • Did you have a good weekend?
  • What's new in your life lately?
  • Have you been on any interesting trips recently?
  • What do you like to do for fun in your free time?
  • Do you have any exciting plans coming up?
  • How do you unwind after a long day?
  • Have you tried any new restaurants or cafes lately?
  • Are you a morning person or a night owl?

This or That Small Talk Questions

A great way to start some entry-level small talk is by asking this or that questions. This gives everyone a clear-cut answer, even if they don't have a particular preference.
This can loosen up any lingering nervousness and open conversation—especially concerning pets, movies, television, or sports. 
  • Coffee or tea?
  • Summer or winter?
  • Beach vacation or mountain retreat?
  • Dogs or cats?
  • Reading a book or watching a movie?
  • City life or countryside living?
  • Sweet or savory snacks?
  • Early bird or night owl?
  • Texting or calling?
  • Camping or staying in a cozy cabin?
  • Cooking at home or dining out?
  • Music concert or theater performance?
  • Fiction or non-fiction books?
  • Morning person or night person?
  • Action-packed movie or a romantic comedy?
  • Travel by plane or road trip?
  • Yoga or jogging for exercise?
  • Sunrises or sunsets?
  • Summer barbecue or winter holiday feast?
  • Classic art or contemporary art?
  • Comedy show or drama?
  • Mobile games or board games?
  • Coffee shop or quiet library for studying?
  • Vintage fashion or modern fashion?
  • Rainy days indoors or sunny days outdoors?

Pop Culture + Entertainment Small Talk Questions

One great way to build an unbreakable bond with someone is by sharing an all-time favorite television show or movie. These small talk questions are designed to open up conversations in one of the easiest ways: by sharing favorite movies, bands, and more. 
Here are some small talk questions related to music, television, and movies that can spark interesting conversations:
  • What's the last concert or live music event you attended?
  • Who's your all-time favorite musician or band?
  • Do you play any musical instruments?
  • What's your go-to song when you need a mood boost?
  • Have you discovered any new music or artists lately that you really like?
  • Do you prefer listening to music from a specific era or genre?
  • Are you into vinyl records, CDs, or digital streaming for your music?
  • Have you ever been to a music festival?
  • Can you recommend a great playlist or album?
  • What song or album holds special meaning for you?
  • What TV series are you currently binge-watching?
  • Do you have a favorite TV show of all time?
  • Are you a fan of any particular genre of TV shows (e.g., drama, comedy, sci-fi)?
  • Have you seen any recent TV shows that you'd recommend?
  • Do you prefer watching TV shows as they air or waiting to binge-watch them later?
  • Are you into reality TV, or do you prefer scripted dramas and comedies?
  • What would your Housewives tagline be?
  • Have you ever attended a live TV show taping or a studio audience?
  • Which TV character do you relate to the most?
  • What's your guilty pleasure when it comes to TV?
  • Are there any classic TV shows you think everyone should watch?
  • Have you seen any good movies lately? Any recommendations?
  • Do you prefer going to the cinema or watching movies at home?
  • Are you a fan of a particular film genre (e.g., action, romance, sci-fi)?
  • Do you have a favorite director or actor/actress?
  • What's the last movie that made you laugh out loud?
  • Have you ever attended a film festival?
  • Do you enjoy watching documentaries?
  • Are there any movie quotes that you find particularly memorable?
  • What's your all-time favorite movie soundtrack?
  • If you could star in a movie, what kind of role would you want to play?
  • What's the last book you read or movie you watched?
More Small Talk Questions to Ask

Fun Facts Small Talk Questions 

Love them or hate them, asking small talk questions that reveal fun facts or unique talents can be great conversation starters. Here are a few small talk questions to get conversations going about fun, unusual, or downright strange facts! 
  • What's something mind-blowing that you just learned recently?
  • Do you have any hidden talents or skills?
  • Are you a fan of board games or card games?
  • What's your preferred method of staying active or exercising?
  • Do you follow any current events or news topics closely?
  • Are you a collector of anything interesting?
  • Do you have any upcoming personal goals or resolutions?
  • Are there any historical periods or events that fascinate you?
  • What's your favorite type of cuisine?
  • Are you a fan of technology and gadgets?
  • Do you have any favorite quotes or mantras that inspire you?
  • Are there any languages you're interested in learning?
  • What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done?
If you love these small talk questions and you want to see more like this, check out these articles:
Caileen Kehayas Holden

Caileen is an experienced content creator with a demonstrated history of working to achieve healthy and organic growth. Enthusiastically skilled in SEO, content strategy, and creating evergreen, valuable, and actionable content Caileen has been working for over two decades in content strategy and writing for career-oriented startups. Caileen is passionate about writing content to help folks determine the best career for their ever-changing lives—especially mid-career professionals who find their career needs changing due to parenthood, values, and ambitions. 

Caileen's advice has been featured by Thrive Global, FlexJobs, Microsoft, WeWork, The Ladders, FastCompany, and more. 

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