Making New Friends: How to Start a Conversation
The first friend I made in Sydney — really made, not just a colleague — came from a misunderstanding. I was trying to buy a bus ticket and pressing all the wrong buttons. A young man behind me said, ‘Here, let me.’ Ten minutes later we were talking about cricket. His name was Chris. Shared confusion is a better opener than any line.
- Start a conversation with a stranger
- Keep it going with follow-up questions
- Exchange contact information
Opening: Hi! Are you new here? / Do you know this area?
Finding common ground: Where are you from? / What do you do?
Keeping going: Oh really? I’ve never been there. / That’s interesting — tell me more.
Exchanging contacts: It was great to meet you. Can I get your number?
🧠 Grammar: present simple for ‘permanent’ facts
We use present simple to talk about where we live, what we do, where we’re from:
I come from Bangladesh. I live in Sydney. I work in a café.
These are current facts — not happening right now, but true every day.
Stand up (or imagine it). Find a partner you don’t usually speak to.
Start with: Hi! Are you from around here? Keep going for 90 seconds. Go!
Mingle activities work at any level. Set a clear 90-second timer. The time pressure removes the awkwardness. Debrief with: what did you find out about someone new?
English language content. Not a substitute for qualified instruction.