Recommended, 2024

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These Smalltalk topics are real icebreakers

If you have the right topics, Smalltalk is really fun!
Photo: Sigrid Olsson / Corbis
content
  1. "And what are you up to?"
  2. These topics are real Smalltalk icebreakers
  3. When the ice is broken
  4. Smalltalk à la Ping-Pong ...
  5. Nothing to talk about - how to charmfully escape
  6. Starting a conversation made easy: ten real icebreaker topics

"And what are you up to?"

Here they are, the charming alternatives to the classic among the Smalltalk questions, and what else should be considered in party talks ...

Annoying, uninspired, and present at every party - the all-purpose phrases among the Smalltalk questions: "What are you doing?"

But why do we even ask that? "Because we are strongly influenced by our working life, " says communication coach Hanne Philipp (www.carpe-verba.de). "And because we often categorize people according to their occupations." Means: if we like the job of our opposite, his sympathy values ​​rise.

These topics are real Smalltalk icebreakers

Pluses we can collect much easier. The best icebreaker to talk to someone is: smile. And then: situational questions. This seems much looser than a trite "What are you doing?" For example, by asking for curious traditions during the Christmas drink or praising the cool jacket of his interlocutor. "The most important thing is to find a common wavelength, " says Hanne Philipp.

When the ice is broken

Let's go ahead with light fare: the best is a current event or a new movie. If it fits the theme, you can also tell a personal anecdote - but please do not lay down a soul striptease on the first conversation. You should also pay attention to Smalltalk topics that spread bad mood. Discuss discussions about politics, religion or money rather for later, if you can better assess your counterpart. Sure, you can always talk about the weather, but well dosed and not, by scolding the rain all evening.

Smalltalk à la Ping-Pong ...

A good conversation should feel like a round of table tennis: relaxed. The theme is played back and everyone comes to the same extent to speak. Therefore: pay attention to the interlocutor, otherwise it is easy as a know-all there. And even if you have a lot to say on a topic, you should not stay there too long. "Do not pick a subject in all its pieces until there is nothing left to pick, " says Hanne Philipp. This usually ends in the death of every small talk: an infatuated silence.

Nothing to talk about - how to charmfully escape

And what if it just does not work? Well maintained, but quickly retreat. And there you are welcome to fall back on classics: By going to empty his empty glass, just looking for the host, his nose powder ..

Starting a conversation made easy: ten real icebreaker topics

Having a nice small talk is not that difficult. It's even easier with these jumpers:

1. "What are you drinking? That looks delicious!"

2. "Bad weather today ... hey, were you already on vacation this year?"

3. "Cool song, do you know who it is from?"

4. "Great shoes, I've been looking for them for a long time, where did you buy them?"

5. "Where do you actually know the host?"

6. "Do you like watching shows, do you know Homeland / Modern Family / The Walking Dead?"

7. "Do you have a middle name?"

8. "Where are you from?"

9. "It's amazing how many people are here, have you ever had a really big party?"

10. "Can you recommend something to eat for me?"

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