Icebreaker questions can open doors to new business opportunities, but for many international professionals, initiating small talk in English is a challenge. Read my practical tips on how to navigate small talk with confidence - and learn 10 great icebreaker questions you can use at your next event.

Starting a Conversation Can Be Awkward
Imagine yourself at a conference networking breakfast. It’s 7:40 am. Coffee in hand, you scan the room full of tables with chairs arranged around them. No empty tables left. No one you recognize. So, you choose one of the many half-full tables of strangers and take a seat.
The official part of the breakfast is set to start at 8 am with a keynote. 15 awkward minutes to go.

You have a choice: You can keep your eyes on your phone, scrolling through your social media feed. Or – you can start a conversation with the person next to you. You could, for example, say, “Is this your first time at the conference?”
If the thought of asking such an icebreaker question makes you feel uncomfortable, you may be struggling with one or several of the four challenges below.
As an introvert, I used to dread networking situations like the one described above. But I have learned to handle them with confidence. And you can too!
Four Icebreaker Challenges for Non-Native Speakers
Many people are uncomfortable initiating conversations with strangers. As a non-native speaker, you face additional challenges. These are four common ones:
Doubt in your ad-hoc conversation skills in English. Spontaneous speaking is hard in your native tongue. In a foreign language, it’s even more challenging to find the right words on the spot.
Self-consciousness about your foreign accent. You worry about how you sound, especially when you speak with native speakers.
Insecurity about appropriate topic choice. In your own culture, you know the dos and don’ts. In a new culture, you are not sure about what’s tabu.
Finding small talk superficial and a waste of time. You simply don’t see the purpose. You would rather spend the time talking business.
Let’s address each one of them, starting with the last one – because, your attitude matters more than anything else.
Challenge 1: Small Talk Is a Waste of Time
If you don’t see the point in small talk, it helps to understand that it's not meant to replace more profound conversations. It serves as an entry point to more meaningful professional exchanges.
Sometimes, a light conversation is a great way to test the waters: Is there a connection? Do we share experiences? Do I want to share deeper thoughts with my counterpart?
Other times, for example before a presentation, small talk is a way to warm up your audience for the more significant information to follow. You want to create a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Either way, you are not making a choice between light chit chat and serious conversation. One can, and often does, lead to the other. On the other hand, a deeper business-focused conversation may never happen, if you don’t start off lightly.
Challenge 2: Topics for Icebreaker Questions
To ensure the conversation flows smoothly, you need to choose topics that are engaging yet non-invasive.
The following six topics are effective for engaging with Americans:
Industry events and news: If you’re at an event, the event itself is a great conversation topic: location, travel experience, keynote speakers, food and drink, etc. For example, you might say, "I’m excited for the keynote. The topic sounds really interesting. Have you heard this speaker before?” or, "Have you had a chance to explore the city, or has it been all business so far?"

The weather: It may seem unoriginal to talk about the weather, but it works. The US is a huge country with different weather events happening all the time. So, there's plenty to talk about. Be mindful of people who may be affected by severe weather situations. Avoid being too negative, judgmental, or political about it. Show interest and empathy. Here's a way to start off: "I wasn’t expecting such heavy rain today - do you know if that's normal at this time of the year?"
The week: The week may seem like another mundane topic. Just like the weather, though, it's a great way to engage in small talk. On Fridays or Mondays, you can ask about the weekend: "Did you do anything interesting over the weekend?" On Wednesdays, you can remark on the fact that it’s already the middle of the week. The rest of the days, a simple, “How’s your week going so far?” can be a great way to ease into a conversation.
Compliments: Complimenting strangers is pretty common in the United States. Don’t be surprised if someone comments on your bag, sneakers, or tie. They are engaging in small talk with you! When giving a compliment, make sure to comment on things. Don't comment on someone’s looks. Add an open-ended question, such as, “That's a great bag. Where did you find it?” to encourage the other person to engage.
Common interests: Once you’ve made it through the icebreaker, continue by exploring common interests, such as sports, cooking, movies, Netflix series, pets, and even kids. You can say, "I heard there’s a big game this week. Do you have a favorite team?" Ask non-probing questions, and also share a little.
Anecdotes: Storytelling plays a big role in informal and formal business communication. Have a few light anecdotes ready to go. Make sure to keep them short. Give the other person a chance to comment or ask questions.
Always pay attention to the reactions of your counterparts. If a particular question seems to make someone uncomfortable, gracefully shift to a different topic.
Challenge 3: Your Foreign Accent
Many non-native speakers feel insecure about their accent. My advice is to take pronunciation seriously, but not fret about your accent.
Pronunciation is about saying words the right (or wrong) way. You can work on that. It’s important to have good pronunciation to make it easy for others to understand you. If people struggle to understand you, they will avoid continuing the conversation.
Accent is about your heritage and identity. It’s influenced by the sounds of your native tongue. It's very hard to eliminate your accent, so it’s best to embrace it. It may even turn into a conversation topic itself.
Be mindful that accented speech can be hard to understand. Studies show that the brain works much harder when it hears an accent it’s not used to. Slow down, enunciate clearly, and speak loud enough, especially in crowded places. Give others a chance to get used to your accent.
Challenge 4: Your Ad-Hoc Conversation Skills
The best way to overcome this challenge is to prepare and practice. You can rehearse and learn spontaneous speaking. Read my blogs on how to handle ad-hoc situations and breaking into conversations at networking events to learn more.
A Few More Small-Talk Tips for International Professionals
The Right Mindset Matters
Don’t be a complainer. Don’t start off with negative energy. Be energetic and enthusiastic. Create a friendly atmosphere.
Don’t be an "oversharer". Reveal a little bit, but not so much that people feel uncomfortable. Be curious but not probing. Know the line.
Don’t be a showoff, looking for validation. It’s not about how great you are. It’s about building a relationship. Don’t monopolize the conversation. US conversations are like tennis games, back and forth. Invite participation.
Listen to the answers so you can ask a follow-up question and keep the conversation going. Show empathy. Acknowledge what others are saying.
Be mindful of your body language and respect personal space.
Why Everything Is “Great” in the US

When I work with international professionals, they often comment on the fact that for Americans, everything is great all the time. Some find this insincere and fake. After all, how can everything always be great?
This is what you need to know: “great” is for small talk. Anything else would create a negative vibe and make people feel uncomfortable. Once you have established a trusted relationship, people generally open up and share deeper feelings.
Know When to Walk Away
Sometimes, small talk doesn’t flow, and you want to end it. Other times, your counterpart sends cues that they don’t want to pursue the topic any longer. For example, their answers may get vague, or they may scan the room and no longer make eye contact.
Have a few phrases ready for such situations and move on. You can say, “It’s been great chatting with you. I’m going to mingle a bit more, but I hope we can talk again soon."
Beyond Breaking the Ice
Conversation starters are not just useful in first-time interactions with strangers. You can also strike up light conversations in the workplace to demonstrate interest and continued attentiveness. Questions can be work-related, such as "What project are you currently working on?" They can also be more personal, such as "How's your [mother/sister/etc.] doing?", when you are aware of a situation.
Such small gestures of interest show that you value the details of your colleagues' lives. They can strengthen connections and create the foundation for deeper relationships. They can also help you get to know your team members better and lead to more productive teamwork.
In this blog, I shared several suggestions for breaking the ice. Give them a try!
Is this your first time at the conference? |
I’m excited for the keynote. The topic sounds really interesting. Have you heard this speaker before?” |
Have you had a chance to explore the city, or has it been all business so far? |
I wasn’t expecting such [weather condition] - do you know if that's normal at this time of the year?" |
Did you do anything interesting over the weekend? |
How’s your week going so far? |
That's a great [object]. Where did you find it? |
I heard there’s a big game this week. Do you have a favorite team? |
What kind of projects are you currently working on? |
It’s been great chatting with you. I’m going to mingle a bit more, but I hope we can talk again soon. |
If you’re a non-native speaker and want to enhance your ability to engage in spontaneous conversations, coaching can provide the skills and confidence boost you need. Many people have the necessary language skills but simply need some fine-tuning, cultural insights, strategies, and guided practice with honest feedback to become more comfortable with the situation. Contact me for a free consultation.
Light conversations can open doors to great opportunities.
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2025 TransAtlantic Coaching & Training, LLC.