Most new conversations are boring.

They start with vague banter that has no meaning. “Hows the weather in your neck of the woods?” Nobody wants to talk about the weather unless it’s a hurricane or blizzard.

But instead of the usual conversation-starting junk, try these instead:

1. Give some help.

Everyone wants to be helped. It shows you’re a friendly, genuine person and can lead to sparking a great conversation.

Example: “Wow, you have a lot to carry. Do you mind if I help?”

2. Ask for help

Asking for help makes other people feel helpful. When it’s sincere, and the person isn’t late or rushing somewhere, most people will be kind to assist.

Example: “Do you know where I can find x?”

3. Make an observation.

When you notice something pleasant, it’s an excellent way to break the ice into a meaningful conversation.

Example: “I see we both ended up here again for another helping. The brisket melts in your mouth.” Or “That last segment on x was incredible. Have you watched her course on y before?”

4. Pay a compliment.

Everybody loves a compliment. It’s as simple as noticing something you like and commenting on it.

Example: “That’s a nice shirt. The color suits you well.”

5. Ask for an opinion.

Whether you like it or not, everyone has an opinion and is dying to share them with the world. So when you ask for an opinion, it shows you’re interested in what the person has to say.

Example: “What did you think of x?”

As an introvert who prefers to be in the corner of a large group, these statements are easy to execute.

So if you ever see me in the corner, I happily accept you using them on me.