1. Ask for a helping¹ hand

1.寻求帮助

Helping questions are great conversation starters because when a person helps you it forms natural bonds. When you help another person to figure what an item is on the buffet² or locate the restroom, it lowers your defenses.

寻求帮助的问题是很好的开场白，因为当一个人帮你的时候你们很自然地就形成了一种联系。你帮别人弄清楚自助餐有什么或者找洗手间时你的防御就降低了。

2. Compliment something other than someone’s looks

2.赞美点外表之外的东西

Instead of complimenting something generic³ like their eyes, highlight something that shows their personality, like their purse or a book.

不要赞美别人的眼睛这样天生的东西，要着重强调能展现他们个性的东西，比如包或书。

3. Bring up a shared interest

3.聊共同的兴趣

Many people think they have nothing in common with a stranger but if someone is at a restaurant or bar they are there for a reason. You’re both there so you both share a common interest.

很多人认为和陌生人没什么共同点，但如果有人出现在一家餐厅或酒吧，那一定是有原因的。你们都出现在那儿，一定是有共同的兴趣。

4. Go simple… yet bold

4.简单一点，但也要大胆

Give a genuine smile and say, “Hi.” It sounds too simple but shows the other person that you’ve noticed them and you’re interested in getting to know them better. And you’ll almost always get a hello back.

带着真诚的微笑说：“嗨”，虽然很简单但能让对方感到你注意到他们并且想要更多地了解他们，你经常也能得到一个回应。

5. Ask for their honest opinion

5.询问对方真实的想法

It shows your interest in the other person. Pretty much anyone will want to share their opinions with an interested party and they will think you are nice and fun to be with, as well.

这表明你对对方感兴趣，几乎所有人都想跟感兴趣的人分享自己的想法，他们也会认为你很好，相处起来很有趣。

6. Tell a bonding joke

6.讲一个能让你们建立亲密关系的笑话

If a woman laughs at a man’s joke, he feels assured that she has a level of comfort with him. For her, laughing releases oxytocin, the ‘bonding hormone⁴.’ These two things together create an opening for more conversation.

如果一个男人讲的笑话让女人笑了，他会感觉她跟自己聊天很舒服。而对这个女人来说，笑能释放后叶催产素，一种“产生联系的激素”。这两种影响放在一起就能开启更多的对话。

7. Give an out-of-the-blue compliment

7.给出意外的称赞

You can test out doing this by just giving people walking down the street a compliment and see their reaction, most times people will give you a smile and possibly engage in more conversation.

你可以试试，称赞一个正在街上走的人并看看他们的反应，大多数时候他们会对你微笑，还有可能会跟你聊起来。

8. Get (pop) cultured

8.接触（流行）文化

Make a comment or joke about something big in pop culture that most people would be familiar with—something light, NOT political.

评论一下或拿大多数人都熟悉的流行文化中的大人物开个玩笑，但要开轻松的玩笑，不要涉及政治。

9. Ask a fake favor

9.假装需要帮助

People love to help so asking for a small favor is a great conversation starter. If you don’t have a favor to ask for, just make one up.

人们都喜欢帮忙，所以让人帮点小忙是很好的开场白，如果你不需要什么帮助，可以假装一下。

10. Show your silly side

10.表现出笨的一面

Asking a question with a little humor is a great move. Say you’re in a grocery store, ask, ‘This is very important: What is the best apple ever? Granny Smith or Red Delicious?

问问题时带点小幽默也不错，比如你在商店里就可以问：“这个问题很重要：什么苹果最好？绿苹果（澳大利亚的一种青绿色苹果）还是蛇果？”