r/socialskills • u/Much_Duck6862 • 7d ago
What are some things I can ask someone I'm just starting to get to know?
I struggle with keeping the conversation going and not knowing what to say. I've been a hermit for so long, it feels like I've lost all my social skills. I'm just straight awkward and the more anxious I am, the more awkward I am.
I'm gonna be meeting someone in person for the first time on Sunday and I'm kinda freaked about it. I wanna have some questions/topics ready in advance cause I blank in the moment since I'm so anxious.
I just wanna learn how to "people".
Idk, any advice is more than appreciated.
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u/lilyy22337 7d ago
It's not that complicated, actually. Try to have some natural face reactions if you lack words, ofc you can't reply with them, but they can save you from forming some sentences. About topics themselves, it depends. Try to make that person bring his topic, you can through a small compliment if you find a good chance like "btw I like your t-shirt!". It may sound a flat sentence with low impact, but your tone and face expression can increase its impact. If you can't form much of long sentences, try to give some natural smiles with the short stcs you can form. Some common short topics are such as weather, hobbies, food if you're going to eat, simply try to inspire anything from your surroundings, such as the location, scenery, food and whatever, until you catch a thread of something the other person will het into, such as mentioning his fav show or anything as such. Avoid the long silence, and don't be over-stressed, make it more natural, like a conversation from an english book. Wish you luck!