https://www.themuse.com/advice/48-questions-thatll-make-awkward-small-talk-so-much-easier
If you're ready to start having awesome conversations, check out my list of favorite questions, divided by small talk topics that most people can get behind. Obviously these don't apply to everyone in every situation—but there are certainly enough here that you should be able to avoid awkward silences for a long, long time.

https://www.careeraddict.com/small-talk-questions
Staying up to date with what's happening in the world can give you a plethora of talk questions. Just remember to steer clear of contentious issues to keep the chat light and engaging. 12. Social media. A funny meme, a viral video, or trending topics on social media can be great conversation starters.

https://socialself.com/avoid-awkward-silence/
Here are my 18 best tips to avoid awkward silence: 1. Ask open-ended questions. Open questions are questions where you can't just answer yes or no; they need some sort of explanation. The opposite is a closed question where there is a correct answer. Open questions can be a great tool to keep a conversation going and get some more interesting

https://socialself.com/blog/avoid-small-talk/
7. Try to be OK with messing up. We sometimes stay in small talk because it's safe. [ 5] Moving into talking about deeper subjects increases the chances of making a mistake, finding out that the other person disagrees with us, or the conversation just becoming a bit awkward.

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/06/28/ask-these-small-talk-questions-to-be-more-likable-and-less-awkward-says-public-speaking-expert.html
Most people dismiss small talk as being pointless and awkward. But public speaking expert John Bowe says the key is to find common ground and demonstrate emotional intelligence. He shares the

https://www.cleverism.com/small-talk-questions/
Small talks can become boring in a matter of minutes. Partaking in such conversations is a terrible experience. Chatting with people you don't want to talk to or discussing cliché topics like weather again and again can be really intimidating. If you are not prepared, most of these meetings end up in dreading silence where you have nothing to talk about except weather. Whether you are

https://www.berlitz.com/blog/how-to-make-small-talk-english-questions-examples-tips
Hobbies and interests: Asking about what someone likes to do in their free time can spark interesting conversations. Food and cuisine: Talking about favorite dishes, restaurants, or cooking can lead to enjoyable conversations. Books and movies: Discussing recent reads or popular films can help find common interests.

https://www.learnenglisheveryday.com/small-talk-questions/
These Small Talk Questions will transform your social interactions and help you start conversations like a pro. Small talk questions are seemingly simple yet powerful tools that can transform awkward silences into engaging conversations. Whether you're mingling at a social event, meeting new colleagues, or trying to strike up a chat with a

https://greatist.com/play/awkward-small-talk
Think of small talk like a tennis match, says Rebecca Hendrix, LMFT, a couples therapist in New York. "The goal is to keep the ball going back and forth.". 3. Show yourself (and others) some

https://medium.com/change-your-mind/50-questions-you-should-ask-during-small-talk-1ec7aadaa5cd
These simple and thought-provoking questions will help you excel during the awkward small talk moments. "Friendship begins with small talks; then grows into a long and deep conversation, the

https://www.realsimple.com/work-life/work-life-etiquette/manners/10-big-rules-small-talk
Don't Hold Back Details. Begin the conversation by giving the other person something to work with—so don't skimp on details. For example, if asked what you do for a living, don't give a short answer, forcing the other person to scramble for more questions. "Embellish your response," says Carducci.

https://socialself.com/blog/make-small-talk/
2. Listen 2/3 of the time - Talk 1/3 of the time. When you've just met someone, you can ask them open-ended questions and wait for their answers, roughly 2/3 of the time. The other 1/3 of the time, you respond to their questions and add comments or stories from your life that are relevant to their answers.

https://preply.com/en/blog/small-talk-questions-to-make-conversation-easier/
The best small talk questions are those that can fit your conversation and keep it going, small things like questions about people's favorite restaurant and other personal conversation topics. However, it's quite natural that some of the examples mentioned in this article may not fit your specific purpose. Hence, you should improvise

https://www.jaunty.org/blog/how-to-make-small-talk/
When making small talk, ensure your body language is open and approachable. Maintain eye contact, stand or sit upright, and avoid crossing your arms. These non-verbal signals can show the other person that you're engaged in the conversation and open to connecting with them. 10. Ask Deeper Questions.

https://www.cbc.ca/radio/iqpodcast/it-s-small-talk-season-avoid-awkward-conversations-by-rethinking-these-5-questions-1.6285368
To avoid any potential awkwardness, we've created a list of substitutes for small talk questions that - while common - could come off the wrong way when catching up with friends, family

https://www.verywellmind.com/small-talk-topics-3024421
The Takeaway. Starting conversations and making small talk gets easier with practice. Rehearse some topics that don't make others uncomfortable, and avoid controversial and personal issues. Your goals are to be pleasant, perhaps pass the time, and leave the other person feeling good about having chatted with you. 6 Sources.

https://stanforddaily.com/2018/10/11/five-questions-to-avoid-small-talk/
Don't ask what they want to major in. Most people probably don't know or if they think they know, it'll probably change at some point or another. Asking about academic interests, however, is

https://medium.com/mind-cafe/how-to-avoid-soul-sucking-small-talk-5cfa82bdebbf
Here are five ways to avoid soul-sucking small talk: 1. Learn How to Ask Better Questions. "Without a good question, a good answer has no place to go." -Clayton Christensen. Thoughtful

https://www.inc.com/laura-garnett/if-you-hate-small-talk-use-these-20-questions-as-a-conversation-starter-instead.html
1. Why are you doing the work that you're doing? 2. Why do you live where you live? 3. Are you living in your dream location? 4. What are you most excited about right now and why? 5.

https://www.rd.com/list/conversation-skills/
An awkward silence is the worst! Try these simple tips to get any conversation flowing, according to a therapist. ... Ask open-ended questions. ... Small-talk questions are good for starting

https://www.verywellmind.com/tips-to-cope-with-awkward-conversations-3024859
Talking about the weather or asking where a person is from are some good examples. If nothing else, focus on listening attentively to the other person and asking open-ended questions that will help move the conversation forward with a little less awkwardness. Social Media and Social Anxiety Disorder. 1 Source.

https://liveboldandbloom.com/09/self-improvement/small-talk-topics
This is a quick way to find some common ground. 4. Food. Food is one of the best small talk topics because everyone can relate to it. Ask people which restaurants in the area they like to frequent and the best dishes that are offered. If they aren't fans of going out to eat, ask them what (or if) they like to cook.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/12-simple-tips-to-make-small-talk-with-anyone-effortless/ss-BB1p3zYP
These types of questions not only keep the conversation lively but also reveal more about the person, making your small talk game strong. Image Credit: G-Stock Studio and Shutterstock 5.

https://thinkr.org/newsletter/better-small-talk-talk-to-anyone-avoid-awkwardness-generate-deep-conversations-and-make-real-friends
We all know that feeling of dread that shows up with us at a networking event, a party, or a pub when we realize we don’t know anyone there. The idea of initiating small talk or trying to join a circle of strangers in a way that doesn’t feel forced or awkward is enough to send many people turning tail and heading home. In Better Small Talk, a busin …

https://news.sky.com/story/election-2024-poll-sunak-starmer-debate-conservatives-labour-reform-lib-dem-12593360
Thank you for joining us in the Politics Hub for live coverage of today's events in the general election campaign. Polls open in 5 days and 8 hours - and the politicians will be spending every

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1TEwtFK5JiZ7MptQ0XtpSk
Listen to this episode from Bloomberg Surveillance on Spotify. John Stoltzfus, Oppenheimer Chief Investment Strategist, says the consumer and the jobs market will play an important role in 2024. Elliot Ackerman, US Marine Corps Veteran & Former White House Fellow, overviews the latest in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific as global geopolitical tensions continue to rise. Sarah Hunt, Alpine Saxon

https://news.sky.com/story/general-election-2024-sunak-starmer-conservatives-labour-reform-davey-lib-dem-12593360
Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, has been asked about the ongoing betting scandal. Asked whether politicians should be subject to betting restrictions, he says: "I'd be happy to look at