30 conversation starters that beat "hi"
Openers for random chat that actually get replies, from easy questions to ones that lead somewhere interesting.
"Hi" puts all the work on the other person. A specific opener gives them something to answer, and shows you're worth talking to. Here are some that work well in text chat, voice and video.
Easy openers
- What's the time where you are, and what should you be doing right now?
- What did you have for dinner? Rate it out of ten.
- What's the best thing that happened to you this week?
- What are you listening to at the moment?
- Coffee, tea or neither? Defend your answer.
Openers that use shared interests
- We both picked music. What's an album you think everyone should hear once?
- What game are you playing right now, and would you recommend it?
- What's a film you liked that most people didn't?
- Which language are you learning, and what's the hardest word so far?
Questions that go deeper
- What's something you changed your mind about in the last year?
- What would you do with a free Tuesday and no responsibilities?
- What's a skill you'd learn instantly if you could?
- What's the best advice you've ignored?
- What's a small thing that makes your day better?
Keep it going
Answer your own question too. Ask follow-ups about the details people give you. And if the conversation isn't clicking, that's fine: say thanks and tap Next.