Conversation starters for talking to strangers

Low-stakes questions anyone can answer straight away.

• What time is it where you are?
• What does it look like outside your window right now?
• What was the best part of your day so far?
• What are you drinking or eating right now?
• Are you a morning person or a night person?
• What did you do last weekend?
• What’s something small that made you smile this week?

Questions with room for a story. Good once you’re past hello.

• What’s a skill you’d love to learn?
• What’s the last thing you got really into?
• What’s a song you’ve had on repeat lately?
• What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?
• If you could live in any city for a year, which one?
• What’s something you changed your mind about?
• What’s a hobby people wouldn’t guess you have?
• What’s the most useless talent you have?

For when the other person sounds up for a bit of fun.

• Would you rather be able to fly or be invisible?
• What’s your most controversial food opinion?
• Which fictional world would you move to?
• What would your theme song be?
• What’s the worst film you secretly love?
• If you had to teach a class on anything tomorrow, what would it be?
• Describe your ideal lazy Sunday in three words.

Some of the best calls happen when it’s late and both people are in a reflective mood. Only go here if the conversation is already flowing.

• What’s something you’re looking forward to?
• What’s a piece of advice that actually stuck with you?
• What does a really good day look like for you?
• What would you tell yourself from five years ago?
• What’s something you’re proud of that nobody asks about?
• When do you feel most like yourself?

A question is only half an opener. The conversation really starts with the second question, the one that shows you were listening.

• Ask why or how. “You’re learning the cello? How did that start?”
• Pick up a detail. If they mention a dog in passing, ask about the dog.
• Offer your own answer. It turns a quiz into a swap, and gives them something to ask you back.
• Let it wander. The best conversations rarely stay on the first topic. Follow the tangent.

On an anonymous call, some questions put the other person in an awkward spot. Skip anything that asks where exactly they live, where they work or study, their full name, how old they are, what they look like, or how to find them elsewhere. If they want to share something, they will. The safety page covers why keeping these details to yourself matters.

• Your first call with a stranger
• Voice chat etiquette: how to be good company
• Why voice-only? The case for talking without faces