[Conversation Skills] Get the Crowd Going! A Collection of Talk Theme Ideas
There are plenty of times—like at a dinner with lots of new faces or when you want to get closer to new classmates—when you think, “I need some fun conversation topics!” But when the moment comes, sometimes the words just won’t come out.
Even with friends, the more time you spend together, the easier it is to run out of things to talk about.
So, here’s a roundup of conversation topic ideas! If you branch out from the themes listed here, your conversations are sure to flow.
Be sure to check them out!
- A collection of questions that will liven up conversations with friends. Talk themes to deepen your bond.
- "What if..." questions are fascinating! Unique prompts that spark lively conversations
- [Talk] Interesting! Hilarious! A Collection of Silly Questions
- [Talk Theme] Liven up the drinking party! A roundup of funny questions
- A collection of hilarious questions that will liven up the conversation and might help you learn more about the other person
- Liven up your drinking party! Fail-safe conversation topics and talk themes
- [Self-Introduction & Games] Icebreaker Ideas Collection
- [Ultimate Either-Or] A great conversation starter and a chance to get to know each other!
- A collection of questions to liven up phone calls with someone you like or are interested in
- Questions to deepen your bond as a couple! Conversation topics that will get lovers talking
- Fun two-player games recommended that you can play using conversation only
- Games you can play with just conversation. Classic and popular activities you can enjoy without any props!
- [Let’s Get Closer] A Collection of Engaging Questions for Self-Introductions
[Conversation Skills] Get the Party Going! A Collection of Talk Topic Ideas (21–30)
Interesting videos or YouTube channels I’ve seen recently
In the past, when someone asked “Did you see that TV show?”, TV was the only source of funny videos.
Since smartphones became widespread and social media took off, funny videos have become much more accessible on platforms like X and TikTok.
If you’re not great at small talk, why not break the ice by asking, “Did you see that funny video?” and showing it to everyone on your phone? I’m sure everyone has their own favorite clips, so you’ll probably kick off an all-out ‘funny video show-and-tell.’ It’s a great idea to use digital tools as a spark to get the conversation going!
Trendy and favorite foods
Back in the day, nata de coco and tiramisu were all the rage.
That topic hits right home for people in their 40s and 50s now.
We’ve had booms like maritozzo, tapioca (bubble tea), and many others—some trend and then quietly fade away.
There are always foods that are in vogue and in the spotlight, no matter the era.
So how about talking about those buzzworthy foods? Korean cuisine, for example, tends to spark conversation.
If you look online, you can quickly find out what foods are trending, so even those who feel like “I can’t keep up with how fast things change” can join in on a safe and lively topic!
The most expensive purchase
The most expensive purchase is a realistic topic that easily reflects one’s daily life and hobbies.
From big-ticket items like houses and cars to game consoles and limited-edition goods, the stories show personality regardless of the price.
People often share their impressions along with the purchase—such as “It was expensive but I’m satisfied” or “Maybe it was a mistake”—which makes it easy for listeners to relate.
Another appeal is that the conversation naturally expands, letting you glimpse a person’s character and values through their shopping experiences.
It’s a topic that not only livens up the conversation but also conveys the speaker’s particular tastes.
Until what age did you believe in Santa Claus?
The topic of Santa that everyone goes through is a classic conversation starter that always livens up chats among friends.
Stories about when you believed and how you found out the truth tend to show personality, with all kinds of patterns like “A friend told me and I realized” or “My parents spilled the beans.” With both empathy and playful teasing flying around, the conversation naturally expands and is sure to heat up.
It’s also a heartwarming reminiscence with family or loved ones that makes you feel warm just by listening.
It’s the perfect talk theme when you want to create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Which would you rather go to, the past or the future?
A lively conversation topic where you choose which way you’d travel in time.
Some people want to meet their past selves to prevent mistakes, while others want to be amazed by the future world—everyone’s thoughts and reasons are unique, making for fun twists and turns.
Just imagining things like “I’d go back to memorize the answers to a test” or “I’d go to the future to meet robots” is part of the charm.
You’ll hear both serious and silly answers, and the laughs keep the conversation flowing.
There’s no right answer either way, so personal values and preferences naturally come out, and the discussion just keeps expanding.
With imagination and a dash of wishful thinking, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser of a topic.
What would you bring to a deserted island?
An uninhabited island is a situation where what you seek isn’t easily obtained—an environment where ingenuity is necessary to survive.
This question asks you to consider what you would need to survive on such an island and, if you could bring something with you, what would be best.
You might think in terms of survival essentials, or you might choose something precious you’d always want by your side.
It’s the kind of prompt that also reveals how each person faces hardship—shedding light on their individual character.
Beauty & Fashion
I’ve been hearing a lot lately that sales of men’s grooming and cosmetics are steadily rising.
As we’ve moved through the Heisei and Reiwa eras, men wearing makeup has become far from unusual.
Beauty has become a lively topic for everyone, regardless of gender.
And it’s not just about outward appearance—talking about what you do for beauty and health is great too.
For example, “That cartilage supplement has been good for my overall condition,” or “A 10-minute stretch every morning has improved my circulation.” Simply sharing what you practice is perfectly fine.
It also sounds fun to talk about fashion magazines you subscribe to: “The editor-in-chief of that magazine changed,” “The designer of that brand retired,” and so on—fashion is a topic you can talk about endlessly!