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Conversation topics at social events – what is and isn’t acceptable.

Social events can be exciting yet nerve-wracking, especially when meeting new people for the first time. Whether you are attending a meeting to meet British Chinese friends, networking, or finding connections through an East Asian dating app in the UK, knowing what to talk about (and what to avoid) is essential. 

The proper conversation topics can help build trust, while the wrong ones might make things awkward. So, how do you strike the right balance? Let’s dive into the do’s and don’ts of social event conversations.

What To Talk About: Engaging & Acceptable Topics

Ask Open-Ended Questions

The best way to keep a conversation moving is by asking open-ended questions. Instead of simply saying, "How are you?" and getting a one-word answer like "Fine," try asking, "How was your journey here?" or "What are you drinking tonight?" The move away from generic questions forces the respondent to think about their reply, and to offer something more interesting to start a conversation.

Find Common Interests

People connect best over shared hobbies. Whether it is food, music, travel, or TV shows, having a shared interest helps build a quick bond. If you are meeting someone from Hong Kong, you may want to ask what their favourite cantonese restaurant is. In group settings, avoid asking personal questions, or ones that may isolate other people in the circle. For example, if people are from all parts of East Asia, you may want to avoid talking about Hong Kong the entire time, and instead focus on more inclusive topics, such as popular Netflix shows, or a famous landmark in the UK. There is nothing more awkward than two people discussing very niche topic, shutting off everyone else in the circle. Being inclusive can win you points on politeness and consideration.

Share Something Interesting

Conversations should be a two-way street. Instead of only asking questions, share something interesting about yourself. It does not have to be overly personal—maybe a fun travel story, a cool fact about a skill, or an interesting cultural experience. If you are looking to meet British Chinese people, talking about something relatable to your bicultural identity, can help break the ice.

Go Beyond Small Talk

While small talk is a good introduction, try to take the conversation deeper once you feel relaxed. When someone asks “how are you?”, instead of just saying, "I am fine," build on it by adding, "I’m feeling energised after my gym session this morning", or “looking forward to my Easter holiday”. This prompts the other person to participate and share their thoughts.
 

What To Avoid: Off-Limit Topics

While honesty and openness are great, some topics are best left unchecked in a social setting. Here are a few things to steer clear of:

Salary and Financial Matters

Money talk can make people nervous, especially in a group setting. Avoid "How much do you earn?" or "What did your holiday cost?" It is best to keep business talks secret unless you are close to the person.

Age and Personal Details

Asking someone’s age, relationship status, or personal information like weight or health can feel invasive. If you really want to know this information, they may either offer it up voluntarily, or another subject may expose some of this information, i.e. when they went to school could give you an indication of their age. Let the conversation run naturally and don’t force personal information out of your subject.

Religion and Politics

These topics can be controversial, especially at social events where people come from different backgrounds. While it is fine to discuss cultural customs, avoid discussing opinions or political views unless you know the group is open to that kind of conversation.

Criticism of Others

Gossip and criticism can quickly bring down the mood. Avoid talking about others in a way that could be seen as critical or insulting. You may also damage your own trustworthiness and integrity by talking about others. As the saying goes, if you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say it at all.

How Maccha Helps Break the Ice

If starting conversations at social events feels overwhelming, Maccha is here to help. As the best East Asian dating app in the UK, it provides a place to meet like-minded people and ease into conversations online before taking things offline.

With Maccha, you can connect with others in the British-Chinese and ESEA communities, find shared hobbies, and get to know someone in a relaxed setting before meeting in person. Whether you are looking for friendship, dating, or expanding your social group, Maccha makes it easy to find real connections.

Wrapping Up

Navigating conversations at social events does not have to be complicated. You can create enjoyable exchanges by focusing on interesting topics, asking open-ended questions, and ignoring sensitive subjects.

If you are looking to meet British Chinese friends, date through an East Asian dating app in Europe, or simply expand your network in England, being aware of what you say can make all the difference. And with Maccha, breaking the ice and starting conversations has never been easier.

So, next time you find yourself at a social event, use these tips to keep the conversation moving and make connections that indeed count.