Our life is unthinkable without communication. But if at home or in a circle of friends, you can relax and randomly express your thoughts, relying on the understanding of your loved ones, then you need to behave with people who are unfamiliar with them. It is important to know which issues are worth touching and which are not. We will tell you where to look for topics of conversation and give a universal formula to support casual conversation.
How to find interesting topics for conversation
Develop
It is easy to find interesting topics for communication for those who are not standing still, but are constantly engaged in self-development. Reading classical and modern literature, watching movies with meaning, traveling, visiting exhibitions or master classes - these are the classes that make us interesting people. Leading an active lifestyle, we will not notice how cleverly we can switch from topic to topic, skillfully parrying knowledge in each affected area.
Talk about the interlocutor
It is good, when that talker is still near - the scattering of his phrases does not allow even the slightest pauses and discharges the situation. But how to find a topic for conversation with a silent person? How to win over him? Psychologists unanimously offer to talk about their interlocutor. Of course, to begin the treatment with the words: "Well, buddy, tell me about yourself!" - you should not.
You can ask his opinion about what is happening around or high-profile events. Sharing their thoughts, people, without noticing it, begin to talk about themselves. Here are some sample questions with which you can start a dialogue: “Where are you from?”, “Do you like this city?”, “How do you like this medical reform?”.
Find common
The situation uniting the interlocutors - this is a significant reason for conversation. For example, a joint train road always has one. Strangers, gathered in one compartment, traditionally tell each other where, from where and for what purpose they are going. Why sometimes complete opposites share this information with each other?
Everything is simple - they are united by something in common. In this case, the road from point A to point B. It is ironic, but it often happens that people who meet by chance find interesting topics for conversation and mutual acquaintances, and sometimes even decide together to continue the journey to a certain place, exchanging addresses.
Make a compliment
It is not about complimenting external traits or character traits. But if we note some kind of action or deed, expressing our admiration or respect, but the mood for a friendly conversation is guaranteed. It may look like this: "How do you manage to master yourself so skillfully during a performance?" or "How long have you been training in order to achieve such results?".
Tell about yourself
Our hobbies or achievements can also be interesting to someone. Talking about himself, there is a chance to find a point of contact with his interlocutor, because he, too, can be delighted with the creativity of the surrealists or be an avid fishing.
The main thing - do not overdo it and do not seem obsessed with a fanatic, who can admire 50 minutes to talk about the concept of the works of Salvador Dali, using narrow vocabulary and all sorts of terminology. Better to share bright moments or stories related to passion. The fascinating beginning of the narrative provokes the attack of the listeners with questions: "How do you do it?", "How did you come to this?" and so on.
Remember the eternal
If everything is already told about yourself, and it is desirable to continue the dialogue, on what topics can we talk more? In this case, you should try to push the boundaries of the rational. There are a lot of so-called eternal questions that people have been discussing at all times. At first, such questions may seem strange or awkward, but they are the ones who are able to develop an amusing conversation:
- If you were allowed to take only three things on a desert island, what would you have?
- What era would you like to live in? Why?
- What is the happiness of man?
Follow the news
Current events - this is a full list of topics for conversation. Few people are interested in hearing the latest gossip about a famous star of show business or to find out the details of some shocking event. It was not without reason that the nobility of the last century began the day with reading newspapers - one can entice the interlocutor with news, inquiring about his opinion about what is happening.
Universal conversation topics
There are 6 main topics that can be raised regardless of the age of the interlocutor, his location or culture. In America, these themes are abbreviated to F.O.R.M. If translated into Russian, this formula will be called - SPO.D. Some capital letters in it are responsible for two headings. What is this combination?
C - Family. Most happy to talk about their roots, origins, the lives of parents, place of birth. Few who do not want to boast the achievements of their family members. If you do not put direct or tactless questions, you can learn a lot about the interlocutor, it is interesting to spend time with him.
P - Profession. If you need serious topics for conversation, you can talk about the education received, its quality, as well as the type of activity of the interlocutors and their professional experience. In the category of "P" may raise social, social or economic problems.
O - Rest. In this block are the most common topics for talking with friends, with whom we most often spend leisure time. A sea of memories and even more plans are connected with rest. Even a stranger is interested to hear about unforgettable adventures or unusual hobbies. This includes the discussion of books, movies, sights and the like.
About - Education. Everyone has something to tell about the student years of life. The sciences studied, the behavior of teachers, the principle of choosing a profession, funny stories are one of the most neutral and safe topics for communicating with unfamiliar people.
D - Money. Drug prices, pensions, and tariff increases are topics of conversation that can not only unite the first comers, but also give them a hand against the third party. This includes discussions about discounts, promotions, product quality, etc.
D - Other. In fact, this is cultural gossip about which we learn from the media, the Internet, social networks and other things. Discussion of memes, jokes or scandals interests more young people who lead an active virtual life.
Topics for conversation that it is better not to raise
Spontaneous conversation can be hacked at the beginning, if you ask a tactless question or touch on a slippery topic. What things are better not to talk?
Politics. Disagreements in politics can not only spoil friendly conversation, but also start a war, as history proves. Imposing your views, expressing opinions about politicians, mentioning the names of leaders whom we trust and vice versa is not worth it - the probability of finding support is not great.
Religion. Everyone has the right to believe in what he wants. Among us coexist many denominations, churches and religious organizations. Proving the truth of one faith or another is the right road to conflict. It is interfaith disagreement that causes the bloodshed of believers.
Personal life. Tactless questions of a personal nature - that is still explosive. A person who asks questions like “When are you going to get married?”, “Don't you plan to have children yet?” Clearly plays with fire. Personal life is the holy of everyone’s saints, and any invasion is considered a potential threat.
Diseases. There are people who do not notice how much time they can talk about their condition. A detailed list of symptoms, an intriguing announcement of the diagnosis, a long story about the methods of treatment are not very interesting topics for discussion. As if the interlocutor did not listen to our speech thoroughly, it should be remembered that he was annoyed by talking about diseases.
Topics for conversation are a powerful foundation of interesting and successful communication. Having caught the necessary wave in the conversation, we will be able to make interesting acquaintances, make friends, build a successful career. All that is needed is to remember which questions can be raised, and which are under the unofficial ban.
