Conversation Topics for Meeting New People

Conversation Topics for Meeting New People

Hello English learners! Have you ever found yourself standing in front of someone new and wondering what to say? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Making small talk and finding the right topics can feel tricky, especially in English. The good news is that with a few ready-to-use ideas, you’ll be able to start and keep conversations flowing naturally. In today’s lesson, we’ll look at some safe and interesting conversation topics for meeting new people, along with example questions and useful expressions. These will help you sound confident and friendly in any situation—whether at a party, in a new class, at work, or while travelling.

Introductions and background

When you meet someone new, the first things people usually talk about are where they’re from, what they do, and their connection to the place you’re in. These are safe, friendly topics that help you get to know each other without being too personal.

Typical questions to ask

• Where are you from?
• What do you do for a living?
• Have you always lived here?
• Do you live nearby?
• What brought you here? (useful at events or in new places)

Useful phrases for answering

Keep your answers short but open, so the other person has a chance to continue the conversation. If you give a very short answer like “I’m from Italy,” the conversation may stop quickly. But if you add a little extra detail, the other person can easily ask you more.

Talking about your hometown or country

• “I’m originally from Spain, but I moved here three years ago for work.”
• “I grew up in a small town near Paris, but I live in London now.”
• “I’m from Mexico City—it’s busy, but I love the energy there.”

Talking about work or studies

• “I work as a graphic designer at a small agency in town.”
• “I’m a teacher, and I’ve been working at the same school for five years.”
• “I’m studying economics at university—it’s tough but interesting.”

Talking about your connection to the place

• “I’ve lived here all my life—it’s a lovely city.”
• “I’ve just moved here last month, so everything feels new.”
• “I’m here on holiday, just visiting for a week.”

Conversation tip

Add a little detail that the other person can easily respond to. For example:

Instead of: “I’m from Japan.”

Try: “I’m from Japan, near Osaka. Have you ever been there?”

This way, you not only answer but also invite the other person to share their experience.

Cultural note

In English-speaking countries, it’s common to ask “What do you do?” early in a conversation. This usually means your job, but if you’re a student, you can say what you’re studying. If you don’t want to talk about work, you can answer with hobbies or interests instead:

“I work in marketing, but outside of work I really enjoy hiking.

Conversation Topics for Meeting New People

Work and studies

Talking about work or studies is one of the most common ways to connect with new people. It gives you an idea of what their daily life is like and helps you find shared interests.

Typical questions to ask

• What kind of work do you do?
• Do you enjoy your job?
• What are you studying at the moment?
• How did you get into that career/subject?
• Are you working on anything interesting right now?

Useful phrases and model answers

Try to give answers that include a bit of detail, so the other person can ask more questions.

Talking about your job

• “I work in IT support. The workload can be heavy, but I enjoy solving problems.”
• “I’m a nurse, and although the job is challenging, it’s very rewarding.”
• “I recently started training as a chef—it’s tough but exciting.”

Talking about your studies

• “I’m studying law at university. My major is international law.”
• “I’m doing a training course in business management at the moment.”
• “My favourite subject is psychology—I love learning about how people think.”

Adding a personal touch

• “My career started in teaching, but I’ve recently moved into online education.”
• “I’m studying economics, but I’m also really interested in politics.”

Vocabulary in context

Career – “I’ve always wanted a career in education.”

Workload – “The workload is heavy during exam season.”

Challenging – “The project was challenging, but I learned a lot.”

Rewarding – “Teaching children is very rewarding.”

Major – “My major is engineering.”

Subject – “Maths was always my favourite subject at school.”

Training – “I’m in training for a new position at work.”

Conversation tip

If you don’t want to focus only on work or studies, you can easily shift the topic:

“I work as an accountant, but outside of work I really enjoy photography.”

 This keeps the conversation light and gives the other person another topic to ask about.

Hobbies and free time

Hobbies are one of the easiest and most enjoyable conversation topics. People love talking about what they do outside of work or school, and it’s a great way to find common interests.

Typical questions to ask

• What do you like to do in your free time?
• Do you play any sports or instruments?
• Have you watched any good films or series lately?
• Do you enjoy reading? What kind of books do you like?
• Have you picked up any new hobbies recently?

Useful phrases and model answers

Try to keep your answers short but open, adding a little detail so the other person can ask more.

Sports and activities

• “I go hiking at the weekends—it’s a great way to relax.”
• “I play football with some friends after work.”
• “I’ve recently taken up yoga, and I really enjoy it.”

Creative and relaxing hobbies

• “I love reading novels, especially crime stories.”
• “I enjoy painting in my free time—it’s very relaxing.”
• “I play the guitar, though just for fun.”

Entertainment

• “I’ve been watching a new series on Netflix—it’s so addictive.”
• “I listen to podcasts on history when I commute.”
• “I went to the cinema last week. The film was amazing.”

Collocations in context

Play chess – “I sometimes play chess with my grandfather.”

Go hiking – “We often go hiking in the mountains in summer.”

Read novels – “She loves to read novels by British authors.”

Watch series – “They usually watch series together in the evenings.”

Listen to podcasts – “I listen to podcasts about science during my walk.”

Conversation tip

When you talk about hobbies, it’s easy to find a connection.

If the other person says: “I love hiking,” you can respond with:

“Oh, me too! Where do you usually go hiking?”

or “I’ve never tried hiking, but I’d love to. Is it difficult?”

Even if you don’t share the same hobby, showing curiosity keeps the conversation flowing.

Conversation Topics for Meeting New People

Travel and places

Travel is one of the best conversation starters. Whether someone has been abroad, explored their own country, or simply has dream destinations, it always opens the door to stories and shared interests.

Typical questions to ask

• Have you travelled anywhere interesting recently?
• What’s your favourite city or country you’ve visited?
• Do you like living in this city?
• Are there any tourist attractions near where you live?
• If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Useful phrases and model answers

Talking about recent trips

• “I went sightseeing in Rome last summer—it was unforgettable!”
• “I travelled abroad to Japan last year. The cultural experience was amazing.”
• “I stayed in Paris for a week—it was full of history and beauty.”

Talking about favourite places

• “My favourite city is Barcelona because of the food and the atmosphere.”
• “I really enjoyed New York—the tourist attractions are incredible.”
• “I love the countryside in Scotland; it’s so peaceful.”

Talking about your hometown or city

• “Yes, I really like living here. There are lots of things to do.”
• “I enjoy it, but sometimes it feels a bit crowded.”
• “I’ve lived here all my life, and I never get tired of it.”

Expressions in context

Go abroad – “I’d like to go abroad next summer, maybe to Greece.”

Sightseeing – “We went sightseeing around London—Big Ben, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace.”

Tourist attractions – “The city has many tourist attractions, such as museums and art galleries.”

Cultural experience – “Trying street food in Thailand was an amazing cultural experience.”

Conversation tip

Travel conversations often lead to storytelling. If someone mentions a trip, ask a follow-up question:

• “That sounds amazing! What was your favourite part of the trip?”
• “Did you try any traditional food while you were there?”
• “Would you go back again?”

This shows interest and makes the conversation flow naturally.

Current events & culture

Current events and culture are excellent conversation topics because they are universal and ever-changing. Talking about books, music, films, sports, or the news helps you connect with people’s interests and share your own.

Typical questions to ask

• Have you read or watched anything interesting lately?
• Do you follow any sports or TV shows?
• What kind of music do you listen to?
• Have you been to any concerts recently?
• What’s the last good book or film you enjoyed?

Useful phrases and model answers

Books and reading

• “I’ve just finished a new novel—it was really inspiring.”
• “I enjoy reading crime stories. They keep me hooked until the last page.”

TV and films

• “I’ve been watching a new series on Netflix. The first episode was brilliant!”
• “I don’t watch much TV, but I love going to the cinema.”

Music

• “I listen to all kinds of music, but rock is my favourite.”
• “I went to a concert last month—it was amazing!”

Conversation Topics for Meeting New People

News and sports

• “Did you see the headlines this morning? There was a big story about the elections.”
• “I follow football, and my favourite team won their match yesterday.”

Vocabulary in context

Concert – “We went to a Coldplay concert last summer.”

Series – “This series has ten episodes, and each one is exciting.”

Episode – “The latest episode ended with a big surprise.”

Novel – “Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is a famous English novel.”

Headline – “The headline in the newspaper was about the climate summit.”

Match – “The football match went into extra time.”

Conversation tip

When talking about culture, remember:

Ask follow-up questions:

• “Who’s your favourite singer?”
• “Which team do you support?”
• “Would you recommend that book/series?”

Share a little opinion to keep it interesting:

• “I liked the film, but I thought the ending was too predictable.”

Conversation Topics for Meeting New People

Current events & culture

Talking about culture and what’s happening in the world is a fantastic way to connect with new people. Books, films, music, and sports are safe, fun topics that nearly everyone has something to say about. They also give you a chance to share your personality and interests.

Typical questions to ask

• Have you read or watched anything interesting lately?
• Do you follow any sports or TV shows?
• What kind of music do you listen to?
• Have you been to a concert recently?
• What’s the last good book or film you enjoyed?

Useful phrases and model answers

Books and reading

• “I’ve just finished a new novel—it was really inspiring.”
• “I usually read crime stories. They’re so gripping!”

TV and films

• “I’ve started watching a new series on Netflix. The first episode was amazing.”
• “I don’t watch TV often, but I love going to the cinema.”

Music

• “I listen to all kinds of music, but jazz is my favourite.”
• “I went to a concert last month, and I can tell you that the atmosphere was incredible.”

News and sports

• “Did you see the headlines today? There’s a big story about the elections.”
• “I follow tennis, and the last match I watched was very exciting.”

Vocabulary in context

Series – “This series has eight episodes, and I’ve already watched half of them.”

Episode – “The last episode ended with a big cliffhanger.”

Novel – “I enjoy reading historical novels in my free time.”

Headline – “The newspaper headline was about a new scientific discovery.”

Match – “The football match was close, but my team won in the end.”

Conversation tip

When talking about culture or current events:

Show curiosity: “Would you recommend that series?”

Share opinions politely: “I liked the film, though I thought the ending was a bit slow.”

Keep it light: avoid controversial topics until you know the person better.

Conversation Topics for Meeting New People

Want more practice? My books Step into English: 30 Short Stories for Real-Life Learning has full dialogues and exercises on topics like work, travel, and free time.

 

Future plans and dreams

Talking about the future is a great way to keep a conversation positive and engaging. Plans for the weekend, travel ideas, or life goals can show personality and give you a chance to bond over shared ambitions.

Typical questions to ask

• Do you have any plans for the weekend?
• Where would you like to travel next?
• What’s something you’d love to do in the future?
• Do you have any personal goals you’re working on?
• Is there a skill you’d like to learn someday?

Useful phrases and model answers

Talking about near-future plans

• “I’m planning to meet some friends and go to the cinema.”
• “I don’t have any big plans, just stay at home and relax.”
• “I’m going hiking on Saturday if the weather is nice.”

Talking about travel dreams

• “I’d really love to travel to Japan one day for the cultural experience.”
• “My dream destination is Australia—I would like to see the Great Barrier Reef.”
• “I’m planning a trip abroad next year, maybe to Italy.”

Talking about long-term goals

• “One of my dreams is to learn how to play the piano.”
• “In the future, I’d like to start my own business.”
• “I really want to improve my English so I can study abroad.”

Vocabulary in context

Plans – “Do you have plans for the weekend?”

Dreams – “My dream is to write a novel one day.”

Goals – “Her goal is to run a marathon.”

Future – “In the future, I’d like to move to another country.”

Conversation tip

Future topics are naturally open-ended, so always ask follow-up questions:

• “That sounds great! Who are you going with?”
• “Why did you choose that place to travel?”
• “What made you interested in learning that skill?”

This shows interest and helps the conversation keep flowing.

Conversation Topics for Meeting New People

Conversation tips

Smile and use open body language – It makes people feel comfortable.

Ask follow-up questions – Don’t just say “Yes” or “No.”

Share a little about yourself too – Conversations are two-way.

Keep it light at first – Avoid politics, religion, or money until you know the person better.

If you really want to learn English but don’t know how to do it and where to start, don’t hesitate to contact us. Book an online English lesson with one of our certified and experienced English teachers and take a test and consultation! Tap the banner to learn more!