Conversation Starters

Through my years of socializing, conversation always without fail begin with "What do you do?"

I don't know if it's only Singaporeans who start with the predictable opening liner, but i was told by non locals that it seems like it's the only thing materialistic Singaporeans care about. They immediately size you up based on your career. 

I beg to differ.

True that Singaporeans can be quite materialistic, after all women seek out the best mate who can provide. But the mundane opening liner is not just the females asking! Men do use it as a conversation starter too!

I am guilty of using that as an opening liner sometimes but it definitely wasn't my motive to size a person up. I'd think that most Singaporeans are unimaginative and thus small talk often starts with a "What do you do?"

Here're 3 ways to start a conversation other than "What do you do":

1) OMG Facts
To appear interesting, you have to read.

Reading where his toy is made in.

To start a spontaneous fun conversation, spew out some OMG facts you can get from here like

Anatidaephobia is the fear that somewhere in the world, there is a duck watching you.

or get her/ him into some action by telling her/him

You can't hum while holding your nose closed

 Don't use facts like

You're more likely to die on your way to buy a lottery ticket than you are to actually win the lottery. 

because that's just morbid.

or
In India it is cheaper to have sex with a prostitute than buy a condom!

Even though you really want to impress him/ her that you travel alot.

or
An adulterous Greek male was sometimes punished by the removal of his pubic hair and the insertion of a large radish into his rectum.
That's just dodgy.

You can however, say "did you know 25% of women think money makes a man sexier, so WHAT DO YOU DO?"

2) Ask Psychology Questions

One of my favourite conversation starter, i like to ask people to rank 3 of their favourite animals and why they chose them.

After hearing them out, you reveal the relevance of choice.

The first animal they mention symbolizes what they perceive themselves to be. The second animal is what/who they really are and the third animal is what they look for in a partner.

I've asked this to 10 people and if they take your question seriously and give it some thought before answering, it is rather accurate and revealing on that person.

It will be a laugh to if someone says his/her third favourite animal is a WHALE.

I had a girl tell me her third favourite animal is a giraffe. We didn't quite know what is the personality of a giraffe except that it is tall and lo and behold, she is incredibly attracted to tall men.

3) Learn simple Magic Tricks
This is the best ice-breaker and it isn't difficult to master either. I learn my tricks from a shop in Plaza Singapura. You pay for the trick, they teach you how to use.


And so because i won't be a boring conversationalist, bid for a date with me!