Whether at work, social events or big business dinner, small talk may be a topic that you don’t only have to face, you might just have to initiate it.
In those awkward moments, when people are staring at one another with nothing to say, having great small talk skills could just be your way out.
Some might find small talk scary, a waste of time or even pointless, but having a couple of small talk questions in your “back pocket”, might just take you from being zero to hero within a group of people.
So for now, I have gathered my top five best small talk questions which I would like to share with you. If you have any interesting stories to tell, I look forward to hearing all about them. 
1. What’s the best trip (traveling wise) you ever had?
Roughly four years ago, I took a trip to Iceland. It was one of the most amazing trips I’ve ever taken! The landscape is breath taking, the people are amazing and Iceland has a silence and calmness to it that I have never experienced.
2.What’s your favorite seat on an airplane?
A window seat at the back of the plane. By sitting at a window, I get to create my own little bubble without being disturbed. 
3.Have you ever been on a cruise? Where did you go?
In 2015, I went on a cruise of the Arabian Gulf. Stops included Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman, Fujairah and Doha. Not only was it an enjoyable trip, but I learnt a lot about cruising as well as live onboard a ship!
4.Are there any specific animals you are afraid of? Why?
Growing up in Africa and having the opportunity to go on many game drives taught me that wild animals should be respected. Animals like rhino’s, elephants, crocodiles, lions, tigers and cheetah’s are definitely not animals I would mess around with. 
5.What is your favorite: Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner?
I LOVE breakfast and even more so, brunch! Bring on the eggs, bacon, beans, toast, grilled tomato, mushrooms and sausage!
Having a successful small talk conversation, will also mean that you would have to pay attention to what the other person is saying and make sure to ask some follow-up questions. If you are the one having to carry the conversation, follow-up questions are crucial!
Some examples of follow-up questions are:
-
Why?
“Why do you think you feel this way?”
“Why did you …?” -
What Do You Mean By…?
“What do you mean by “Schnitzel”? Is that some type of German dance?”
-
Tell Me More
“I’ve always wanted to go to Dubai! Tell me more!” -
And You?
“I’ve travelled to many countries around the world, and you?”
Another strategy to get the conversation going and break the ice is to ask some “would you rather” questions. Let’s have a look!
- Would you rather go into the past and meet your ancestors or go into the future and meet your great-great-grandchildren?
- Ancestors
- Great-grand-children
0 voters
- Would you rather have more time or more money?
- More time
- More money
0 voters
- Would you rather have a rewind button or a pause button on your life?
- Rewind button
- Pause button
0 voters
- Would you rather win the lottery or live twice as long?
- Win the lottery
- Live twice as long
0 voters
- Would you rather be without internet for a week, or without your phone?
- Without internet
- Without my phone
0 voters
Which small talk question did you find most interesting and how would you answer it! I look forward to your responses! 