67 Things and Ideas to Talk About on the Phone

Are you getting sick of the dull, pointless conversations that consist of the never-ending “how are you?” In this article, you’ll have everything you need to transform those monotonous interactions into a meaningful one.

Making yourself equipped with various conversation topics before you talk to someone is an effective way to make sure your interaction goes off without a hitch. Not sure what to talk about? We’ve got you covered! Listed below are a wide range of topics you can talk about on the phone.

Topics That Spark a Conversation

1. Weather

• “How do you like the weather right now?”
• “Which do you trust more: the weather forecast or your personal intuition?”
• “Describe your favorite type of weather.”

2. News

• “Where do you get your news from?”
• “What do you think doesn’t get enough news coverage?”
• “What kind of news stories interest you the most?”

3. Current trends

• “Which current trend are you trying to keep up with?”
• “What are some current trends you can’t wait to go away?”
• “Do you usually follow trends or just do your own thing?”

4. Plans

• “Any big plans coming up?”
• “What are your plans for the weekend?”
• “Is there any significant event you’re looking forward to?”

5. Online buzz

• “Who is your favorite YouTuber?”
• “Which TikTok challenge were you most impressed with?”
• “If you could be trending on the Internet, what would you like to be viral for?”

6. Social media

• “How active are you on social media?”
• “How do you think social media affects the way we perceive ourselves?”
• “Do you think it’s important to take time off social media? Why?”

7. Controversial issue

• “What controversial issue, be it social or political, do you feel strongly about?”
• “What do you think is the biggest controversy that has really made a difference?”
• “How active are you in expressing your opinions on controversial issues?”

Topics That Allow You to Get to Know Someone

8. Food 

• “What’s a food you hate that everyone loves?”
• “What food do you know is bad for your health but can’t stop yourself from eating?”
• “If you could only eat one food in your entire life, what would it be?”

9. Cooking

• “How often do you cook?”
• “What’s a recipe you think you can cook best?”
• “What’s a recipe you wish you know how to cook?”

10. Books

• “What’s the greatest book you have ever read?”
• “What’s your favorite book genre?”
• “Who’s your favorite author?”

11. Hobbies

• “How did you get started doing your hobby?”
• “How long have you been doing your hobby?”
• “How did you figure out that you were passionate about your hobby?”

12. Work 

• “What’s your ideal career?”
• “How did you get into that industry?”
• “Are you exactly where you want to be right now or you’re simply in it because of convenience?”

13. Music

• “If your life had a theme song, what would it be and why?”
• “If you could only listen to one music your entire life, what would it be?”
• “Do you play any musical instruments?”

14. Movies

• “What movie do you think everyone should see?”
• “What movie made you cry the most?”
• “If your life is a movie, what movie is it?”

15. Habits

• “What’s a good habit you were grateful you have?”
• “What habit do you wish you could develop?”
• “What’s a bad habit you wish you can get rid of?”

16. Talents and skills

• “What’s a skill you wish you could learn?”
• “What’s your weirdest talent?”
• “Would you rather be a master of one skill or a jack of all trades?”

17. Dreams

• “Tell me about the strangest dream you’ve ever had.”
• “Do you think dreams are somehow associated with the unforeseen future?”
• “Have you experienced lucid dreaming?”

18. Goals and Aspirations

• “What is the craziest, most outrageous goal you want to achieve?”
• “What goals did you achieve that most people didn’t believe you could?”
• “What legacy would you like to leave the world with?”

19. Accomplishments

• “What do you consider the biggest accomplishment in your life so far?”
• “Have you ever accomplished something you didn’t think you could?”
• “Have you ever tried to do something you know you’re really bad at? How was it?”

20. Role models

• “Who do you aspire to be more like?”
• “Who do you think has the biggest influence in your life?”
• “If you could have one person’s characteristics and skills, who would it be?”

21. Fears

• “What’s an irrational fear that you have?”
• “Is there anything in the future that you’re dreading?”
• “How do you deal with things that scare you?”

22. Pet peeves

• “Do you think you have habits that annoy other people? If so, what is it?”
• “What’s a pet peeve that you couldn’t stand the most?”
• “How do you deal with people who do something that annoys you? Do you confront them or just remain silent?”

23. Past events in one’s life

• “What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?”
• “What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?”
• “What’s the most unforgettable moment in your life that has shaped who you are now?”

Topics That Help You Learn About Someone’s Life and History

24. Free time

• “How do you spend your free time?”
• “What do you wish you had more time for?”
• “Do you try to be productive even during your free time or just do whatever you want?”

25. Humor

• “What’s your favorite comedy film?”
• “What are some inappropriate jokes you know you shouldn’t find funny but can’t help but laugh at?”
• “Tell me about the time you laughed so hard you started crying.”

26. Pets

• “Are you a dog person or a cat person?”
• “Do you have any pets?”
• “If you could have any animal as a pet, what would it be?”

27. Their hometown

• “What was it like growing up in your hometown?”
• “How often do you visit your hometown?”
• “Why did you decide to leave your hometown and move someplace else?”

28. Childhood

• “Tell me about one of your earliest memories.”
• “Who had a profound influence on you as a child?”
• “What mischief did you get away with as a child that your parents still don’t know about?”

29. School

• “What was the most embarrassing that has happened to you in school?”
• “What was/is your favorite subject in school and why?”
• “Who is/was your favorite teacher and why?”

30. Friends 

• “Do you have a lot of friends or just a few?”
• “What is the longest friendship that you have had?”
• “Do you make friends easily or do you find it challenging to make new friends?”

31. Family

• “How many siblings do you have and how is your relationship with them?”
• “How often do you spend time with your family?”
• “Which member of the family you feel closest to?”

32. Traditions

• “What traditions did you grew up with that you still carry on until now?”
• “Do you have any family traditions? If so, what is it?”
• “What role do traditions play in our lives?”

33. Holidays

• “Which holiday is of utmost importance to you?”
• “If you had to get rid of a holiday, which holiday would you get rid of?”
• “If you could make a holiday, what would it be like? What traditions would it have and what would people eat on your holiday?”

Topics That Are Deep and Thought-Provoking

34. Regrets

• “What is your biggest regret in life?”
• “If you died today, is there something you would regret not doing or not saying?”
• “If you could go back to a point in your life to change something, what would you change?”

35. Values

• “Which value is of utmost importance to you?”
• “Do you believe in Karma? Why?”
• “Tell me about a situation in which you stood up for something/someone.”

36. Spirituality

• “Do you have a background in religion? If so, what was it like?”
• “What experiences have shaped your spiritual life?”
• “What would it take for you to believe in God in general and Christianity in particular?”

37. Life

• “What is the meaning of life?”
• “Is there such a thing as a soul?”
• “If you could go through any day of your life again, what day would you choose to relive?”

38. Death

• “Do you believe in life after death?”
• “Do you think there is anything worth dying for? If so, what is it?”
• “Are you afraid of death?”

39. Conspiracy theories

• “Which conspiracy theory is most likely to be true?”
• “Which conspiracy theories do you find most interesting?”
• “If you could make up a conspiracy theory at the top of your head, what would it be?”

40. Society

• “What is increasingly becoming socially acceptable, but shouldn’t be?”
• “Do you think humans are more creative or destructive?”
• “What’s one thing you think society would be better off without?”

41. Humanity

• “If you could have the world’s attention for a minute, what would you say?”
• “Who or what is the greatest enemy of mankind?”
• “What do you think should be humanity’s goal?”

42. Art

• “What form of art are you most interested in?”
• “What are your thoughts about modern art?”
• “Can anybody be an artist?”

43. Universe

• “Do you think there any other universe besides the one we live in?”
• “Do you believe in a parallel universe?”
• “Can there be life somewhere in space outside the Earth?”

44. Aliens

• “Do you believe aliens exist?”
• “Assuming aliens exist, do you think they could be living among us but have just gone undetected so far?”
• “If you could send a message to aliens, what would you say?”

45. Moral ethics

• “What does morality mean to you?”
• “How do you decide what is moral and what is not?”
• “Is it ever okay to lie? If so, under what circumstances?”

46. Philosophy

• “What do you think human consciousness is?”
• “What’s the difference between justice and revenge?”
• “With no laws nor repercussions to influence behavior, how do you think you would behave?”

47. Purpose

• “What do you think is your purpose in life?”
• “What are you willing to struggle for?”
• “Do you believe that people have a “higher calling” in life?”

48. Freedom

• “Do we really have free will, or are our every action predetermined?”
• “What does freedom mean to you?”
• “What is the extent of freedom human beings should have?”

49. Happiness

• “Tell me about the time you felt genuinely happy and why.”
• “What do you think a person needs to do to be happy?”
• “Do you believe that happiness is a choice?”

50. Love and Relationships

• “Do you believe in love at first sight?”
• “Do you believe that people have a soulmate that they’re destined to be with?”
• “What are the ultimate dealbreakers for you when it comes to relationships?”

Topics That Interesting to Talk About

51. History

• “If you could live at any point in time to experience a historical event, what would you choose?”
• “What historical event fascinates you the most?”
• “What do you think is the most significant event in the history of the human race?”

52. Restaurants

• “What used to be your favorite restaurant as a child?”
• “What is the most disgusting experience you have while eating at a restaurant?”
• “Which restaurant do you prefer: fast food or fine dining?”

53. Entrepreneurship

• “If you have the means to start a business right now, what would it be?”
• “If you were to start a business, would you rather offer products or services?”
• “What do you think drives the success of a business?”

54. Travel

• “What’s the most awe-inspiring place you’ve ever been to?”
• “What’s next on your travel bucket list?”
• “Tell me about the most interesting people you have met while traveling.”

55. Sports

• “Do you play any sports?”
• “Which sport would you like to learn to play?”
• “What was the last game you went to?”

56. Fashion

• “What is your favorite fashion trend?”
• “Which fashion trend would you want to go away?”
• “Do you make an effort to keep up with the latest fashion trends or you just wear whatever you want to?”

57. Celebrities

• “If you could trade lives with a celebrity for a day, who would it be?”
• “If you could be a celebrity, what would you like to be famous for?”
• “Which celebrity do you think has done the most good for society?”

58. Games

• “Which types of games are you into: card, board, PC, or console?”
• “What is the most addicting game you have ever played?”
• “What game on your phone or tablet are you really into now?”

59. Apps

• “What is the most useful app on your phone?”
• “What’s the most helpful app you think everyone should use?”
• “What is the strangest app you have ever heard of or tried?”

60. Internet

• “Do you think the Internet solves problems or creates more problems?”
• “What direction do you think the Internet is headed to?”
• “What’s on the Internet that you can’t live without?”

61. Podcasts

• “Who is your favorite podcast host?”
• “Whose podcasts are you keeping up with?”
• “If given the chance, what kind of podcast would you start?”

62. Charity and Volunteering

• “Have you experienced doing any charity work or volunteering? If so, how was it?”
• “What charities do you support the most?”
• “What kind of volunteering would you like to try in the near future?”

63. Online Dating

• “Have you tried online dating and has it ever worked for you?”
• “Tell me about the most interesting person you’ve met through online dating.”
• “Which do you think is better: online dating or traditional dating?”

64. Technology

• “Which emerging technology are you looking forward to?”
• “Do you think technology makes life more simple or more complicated?”
• “What piece of technology you absolutely can’t live without?”

65. Education

• “What do you think of online education?”
• “What are your thoughts about homeschooling?”
• “Do you think education is the reason behind successful peoples’ success?”

66. Nature

• “What’s your favorite natural setting to be in?”
• “How often do you go away from civilization to experience nature?”
• “Would you rather live in the city or in the countryside?”

67. Plants

• “Have you ever tried gardening? If so, how was the experience?”
• “How good are you at looking after plants?”
• “What kind of plants are you into?”