A good opener gives the other person something easy to answer. “Hi” is not wrong, but it asks the other person to do all the work. A small question with personality creates a better first exchange.
Easy starters
- What song have you had on repeat this week?
- What is the best movie you have seen recently?
- If you could spend a weekend anywhere, where would you go?
- What game are you playing right now?
- What small thing made your day better today?
- What food could you eat every week and never get bored?
- Are you more productive in the morning or at night?
- What app do you use more than you expected?
- What hobby would you learn if time were free?
- What is an unpopular opinion you can defend without starting a war?
- What is the best place in your city for a quiet hour?
- What are you looking forward to this month?
Keep it natural
Use the room as context. In Music Chat, ask about a track. In Gaming, ask what people are playing. Specific questions feel less like an interview and more like a real conversation.
And when someone answers, respond to what they actually said. The best conversation starter is only useful if it leads to listening.