171 Great Conversation Starters & Topics for Work
A comprehensive guide to conversation starters for work — from casual chats and meetings to lunches, events, and parties.
By Angela Robinson · Updated January 10, 2026
Conversation starters are talking topics that start discussions with coworkers. For instance, “what TV shows are you watching?” and “do you have any plans for the holidays?” These subjects and questions are ways to learn more about teammates and build a rapport with colleagues, and may lay the foundation for work friendships.
These prompts are similar to icebreaker questions, discussion topics, and get to know you questions. You can use these phrases to spark discussions at virtual water coolers.
This post includes:
- Conversation topics for adults
- Basic work conversation starters
- Interesting conversation starters
- Funny conversation starters
- Conversation starters for work meetings
- Conversation starters for work events
- Conversation starters for work lunches
- Conversation starters for work parties
🗣️ Conversation Topics for Adults
Here are some of the best conversation topics for adults to use for small chat at work.
1. Hobbies
Hobbies are one of the most popular talking points. People often like to talk about their passions. Learning what coworkers do in their spare time can help you understand and appreciate them as full-fledged human beings. Plus, finding out that you share an interest with someone can provide opportunities for future conversations.
2. Vacations or Travel
Many folks love traveling or taking time off to unwind. Trips are an exciting and engaging conversation topic. You can ask about past travels, or plans for upcoming trips. These chats often offer a chance to bond over common destinations, and to swap recommendations and tips.
Even folks who tend to stay closer to home may be excited to share their finds, or just to focus on thoughts of rest and relaxation.
3. Food
Food has strong cultural significance and is a powerful community building tool. Everyone eats, and most folks have strong feelings about food. You can talk about favorite foods, restaurants, memories from childhood, dishes to make, and cooking fails. “What are you eating?” or “Have you eaten anything good lately?” are easy conversation starters. This topic is not overtly personal, yet can reveal surprisingly personal details.
4. Weather
When folks complain about small talk, they often use weather chat as an example. However, there is a reason the weather is a go-to talking topic. Weather affects everyone, and is a common factor for folks who might not have many obvious similarities. On dispersed teams, differences in weather can be fascinating, and talking about extreme snow or heat or precipitation often leads folks to talk about the climate in past places they have lived.
5. Current Events
Part of the lure of the news is that it gives the public something to talk about, especially since many folks have opinions about big stories. “Did you hear about….” or “what do you think about….” are effective conversation starters, even with strangers.
Avoid overtly political or controversial topics until you have a relationship with someone and know how they will react.
6. Media
Movies, music, and television bring people together by offering a shared experience that is easy to talk about. “Seen any good movies lately?” or “What are you currently binge watching on Netflix?” are easy icebreakers. Most folks unwind by watching a film or show or listening to music.
7. Office News
Adults spend a significant amount of time at work. Even if you are not sure about your coworkers’ outside lives, you can connect over office news. For instance, new locations, changes in leadership, product announcements, partnerships, new policies or procedures, or new employees. The “news” can be as simple as, “have you tried the new coffee maker in the breakroom?”
8. Holidays
Holidays are one of the best conversation topics. These occasions involve special activities that differ from the normal routine, and since the events are seasonal, conversations do not get stale. “Do you have any holiday plans?” is an easy opener, as is talking about holiday traditions.
9. Home
“Where do you live?” or “where do you call home?” are the most common questions in this category. Having a home is a basic human need, and many folks have strong feelings about the places they live.
10. Sports
Part of the fun of being a sports fan is the thrill of being part of a crowd. Folks tend to feel passionately about their home teams, and major sporting events like The Super Bowl or The World Cup can stir up excitement and openings for conversations. Even folks who support different teams can find common ground in the love of the game, or friendly rivalry.
11. Internet Pop Culture
The internet plays a big role in modern society and has come to have its own culture and jokes. Most folks spend a significant amount of time online both for work and personal pleasure. Talking about a viral video or article or the latest social media trend can make for interesting conversations.
12. Technology
Technology evolves constantly, and new products and app launches tend to be newsworthy events. Talking about new devices and gadgets can be a way to connect with others. Some folks feel very strongly about their preferred brands, devices, or operating systems.
13. Family
Family plays a major role in most societies, and is one of the most important parts of many folks’ lives. Questions like “do you have siblings?” or “do you have kids?” are fairly common conversation starters. Parents are often eager to swap tips or give updates on their growing kids.
14. Animals
Few folks are ever too old to talk about animals. Talking about pets is a powerful way to connect since animal lovers have strong feelings about their critters. Swapping pet pictures or telling animal anecdotes makes for a fun conversation topic.
15. Goals
Most folks have things they hope to accomplish, both inside and outside of work. Talking about goals can be a way to bond with other people. Since it can be awkward to randomly ask about goals, the best way to approach the subject is to share a bit about your own self-improvement plans, and then encourage the other person to reciprocate.
16. Pet Peeves
Anger has a surprising power to bring folks together. Venting about life’s little annoyances can be a way to bond with strangers or coworkers.
17. Fantasies
Conversations do not have to be rooted in reality to be engaging and revealing. Talking about dreams and fantasies can be one of the most lively conversation topics — winning the lottery, going on a dream vacation, or becoming a celebrity.
💬 Basic Work Conversation Starters
- How is it going?
- How is your family/spouse/kids?
- What did you do this weekend?
- Any plans for this coming weekend?
- How is your workload these days?
- How about this weather?
- Any vacations/trips coming up?
- Do you have any hobbies?
- Are you a part of any clubs?
- How are your pets? (And, do you have any recent photos?)
- How are your kids?
- Do you have siblings?
- What was the last interesting book you read?
- What TV shows are you watching?
- What was the last new movie you saw?
- What does your work playlist look like these days?
- Have you lived in this city long?
- Did you catch the game?
- Are you planning to check out (a local event happening soon)?
- How long have you been with the company?
- Have you tried that new coffee in the break room?
- I am going to grab coffee/lunch. Can I get you anything?
🤔 Interesting Conversation Starters
- What childhood show would you like to see rebooted?
- What is something you had not thought about for years and suddenly remembered or were reminded of?
- Who is a stranger who made a big impact on your life?
- What is the most unexpected piece of advice you ever received?
- What is one change you hope to see in the world during your lifetime?
- What phrase drives you crazy?
- If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?
- What is at the top of your bucket list?
- If you had to choose any other profession, which one would it be and why?
- If you had to write a book, what would you write about?
- What is a non-work goal you are trying to achieve?
- Where is the coolest place you have ever been?
- What is one skill you would really love to learn?
- What do you hope to be remembered for?
- What is your most treasured family possession?
😄 Funny Conversation Starters
- Did you ever think that quicksand would be a much bigger problem in your life?
- Who is the strangest person you have ever met?
- What celebrity would you be least surprised to find out is an alien?
- What is the most random dream you have had recently?
- What task on your to-do list do you keep procrastinating?
- What is the funniest thing you have ever convinced a child of?
- What is the silliest thing you believed as a kid?
- If you were a supervillain, what would your evil plan be? (And, where would you build your lair?)
- If your pet could talk, what embarrassing information might they reveal about you?
- Who is your strangest relative?
- What is the funniest misunderstanding that ever happened to you?
- What seemingly inconsequential thing do you feel so strongly about that you are willing to argue about it?
- You are in an elaborate Ocean’s Eleven style heist movie. Who do you recruit to be part of your crew?
- What never fails to make you laugh?
- If you were a ghost, who would you haunt?
- You are an evil villain with a plan to minorly inconvenience the most number of people in the office possible. What do you do?
🗓️ Conversation Starters for Work Meetings
- Can anybody here do a convincing celebrity impression?
- What is one thing you learned this week?
- What is one thing you are grateful for this week?
- What is the best meal you have eaten so far this week?
- Does anybody have any personal wins they would like to share?
- What is an unexpected roadblock you ran into this week?
- What is the funniest fail that happened to you recently?
- What is your best recent discovery?
- What is the nicest interaction you have ever had with a client/customer?
- What is one nice thing a coworker (past or present) did for you?
- If money was no object, what luxury would you like to see in the office?
- What are you most excited about work-wise in the coming quarter?
- How do you wind down after work?
- What is your morning routine?
- What is one thing that brings you joy right now?
- What is a good work hack that you recommend everyone try?
- Do you prefer Zoom meetings or in-person meetings?
- Where is the strangest place you have ever joined a meeting from or had a meeting in?
- What snack would you love to see stocked in the break room?
🎪 Conversation Starters for Work Events
- Have you ever been to one of these events before?
- Have you ever been here (the event venue) before?
- What are you eating/drinking?
- Are you going to attend another upcoming work event?
- What’s new in your department?
- Have you heard the news about (recent company update)?
- What would you be doing right now if you weren’t here?
- What are you hoping to take away from this event?
- Is there anyone here you recommend that I connect with?
- What part of the event are you most looking forward to?
- Have you met (new employee)?
- What is a good habit that improved your life that you wished you started doing sooner?
- What are you proudest of?
- What is your most recent obsession?
- What is your go-to conversation starter?
🍽️ Conversation Starters for Work Lunches
- What do you think you will order?
- Have you been to/eaten from this restaurant before?
- Would you split a dessert with me?
- Have you tried any other good restaurants lately?
- Do you listen to any podcasts? Any suggestions?
- Do you like to cook? What is your favorite thing to make?
- Did you see (recent viral video)?
- What are your top three all-time favorite movies?
- Which actor would play you in a movie?
- What do you have the most photos of on your phone?
- Which app do you use the most?
- If you could have lunch with anyone in the world who would it be?
- What is a food that reminds you of childhood?
- What is your go-to snack?
- What is the most surprising thing you recently learned?
- Do you have any special secret talents?
- What is an impulse purchase you do not regret?
- What is the most fun you have ever had?
🎉 Conversation Starters for Work Parties
- What do you recommend I try off the buffet?
- Do you think we will get goodie bags?
- Did you request any songs from the DJ?
- Are you going to dance later?
- Did you attend the holiday party last year?
- Did you enter the giveaway?
- Did you finish your holiday shopping?
- Any plans for (upcoming holiday)?
- Did you make any New Year’s resolutions?
- Who are your guests?
- Your outfit is nice. Where did you get it?
- What is your favorite thing to bring to a party?
💡 Final Thoughts
Starting conversations with strangers can be tricky. Sometimes, we can draw a blank even when trying to chat with people we know well. However, as human beings we have a lot more in common than we realize, and there is no shortage of ways to kick off conversations.
If it feels unnatural to start a conversation with a question, share a piece of information about yourself or the chosen subject before moving onto a question. Asking questions is a good way to keep conversations going because it shows interest in the other person’s ideas and point of view.
❓ FAQ for Conversation Starters
What are some good conversation starters for work events?
Some good conversation starters for work events include “what are you eating?” “who are your guests?” and “do you have any plans for the upcoming holidays?” Folks often default to shop talk when at work events — yet at parties or outings many folks want to relax. It is often better to make small talk about general human interests first, and then allow the conversation to flow.
How do you start conversations at work?
Ask a question about a general topic such as work, weather, holidays, or movies, and keep the conversation going by asking follow up questions. Starting with a broad topic is a good way to connect with lesser-known peers.
What conversation topics should you avoid at work?
Avoid discussing religion, politics, and subjects of a sexual nature. Also, steer clear from criticizing non-work matters, especially weight or appearance. A good guideline: if the conversation might land you in HR’s office, drop the topic or stay silent.
Source: teambuilding.com — 171 Great Conversation Starters & Topics for Work
Good conversations are the foundation of good work relationships. Pick one starter this week and try it.