Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSigns of a Conversation LullStrategies to Revive a Conversation50 Conversation Kickstarters
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Signs of a Conversation Lull
Strategies to Revive a Conversation
50 Conversation Kickstarters
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We’ve all been there, sitting in the middle of a conversation that suddenly hits a dead end, leaving us desperately searching for something to say. Whether we’re at a party, a work event, or even just catching up with friends, those silent pauses can feel super awkward and uncomfortable.
Don’t worry—conversation lulls are natural and occur more frequently than we might realize, saysJenna Nielsen, MSW, LCSW, a therapist at ADHDAdvisor.
The good news is, a stalling conversation can be rescued. Switching to a new topic can help revive the discussion, saysAlison Wood Brooks, PhD, an associate professor and conversation researcher at Harvard Business School.
The key is to be prepared. “Switching topics is easier if we’ve thought aboutpotential topicsbefore the conversation begins—before we’re lost in the demands of keeping the conversation alive,” says Dr. Brooks. It can be helpful to keep a few topic ideas up your sleeve, so you can revive the conversation if it starts to drag.
30 Questions to Engage Someone Beyond ‘How Are You?’
The best way to prevent a conversation lull is to head it off before theawkwardsilence sets in. We all know the one. The chit-chat starts to fizzle out and then suddenly there’s an uncomfortable stretch where nobody can think of anything to say. Recognizing when the energy starts to dip can help us steer the conversation back on track before it’s too late.
These are some signs that a conversation lull might be approaching:
Noticing any one of these signals means it’s time to switch to a new topic, says Dr. Brooks.
Awkward! How Do I Start a Conversation at an Event Where I Don’t Know Anyone?
The experts share some strategies that can help us revive a stalling conversation:
How to Talk to Strangers With Confidence and Ease
Use these topics as your secret weapon against awkward silences. Depending on the flow of your conversation, you can either use them asfollow-up questionsor introduce them as fresh topics to change things up.
Conversation Starters About Hobbies and Interests
Here are some conversation starters about hobbies and interests that can help you get to know someone better:
Conversation Starters About Food
Here are some conversation starters that can help you connect with fellow foodies:
Conversation Starters About Travel
Here are some conversation starters that can help you explore the world of travel:
Conversation Starters About Family
Here are some conversation starters that can give you a glimpse into someone’s family and upbringing:
Conversation Starters About Work
Here are some conversation starters about work:
Why Work-Life Balance Is So Important—and How to Nail It
Conversation Starters About Life
Here are some conversation starters about life and the bigger picture:
Conversation Starters About Fantasies
Here are somewhat-if questionsthat can be fun and interesting to discuss:
When it comes to conversation topics, the possibilities are endless, so you should try to find topics that are mutually interesting or engaging.—ALISON WOOD BROOKS, PHD
When it comes to conversation topics, the possibilities are endless, so you should try to find topics that are mutually interesting or engaging.
—ALISON WOOD BROOKS, PHD
10 Topics to Spark New Conversations With Long-Term Partners
Takeaways
Keeping a conversation goingcan be tricky. Having a few prompts up your sleeve can help you keep things fresh and interesting. With the right questions and a little bit of enthusiasm, you can turn an awkward conversation into an opportunity to bond with someone. You’ve got this!
Foolproof Conversation Starters That Can Lead to New Friendships
3 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Templeton EM, Chang LJ, Reynolds EA, Cone LeBeaumont MD, Wheatley T.Long gaps between turns are awkward for strangers but not for friends.Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2023 Apr 24;378(1875):20210471. doi:10.1098/rstb.2021.0471
Dunbar RIM, Frangou A, Grainger F, Pearce E.Laughter influences social bonding but not prosocial generosity to friends and strangers.PLoS One. 2021 Aug 13;16(8):e0256229. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0256229
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