We’ve all received that one-word text — “hey” — and felt completely uninspired to reply.
It doesn’t give much to work with and often leads to a dull conversation or no response at all. If you want to keep a chat fun, engaging, and worth responding to, it helps to start with something a little more interesting. A good text opener should actually invite a reply, or at least make the conversation feel natural rather than forced. Whether you’re texting a friend, a crush, or someone new, here are some better ways to start a conversation that will make the other person want to message you back.
1. “Okay, I need your opinion on something…”
Source: Unsplash People love giving their opinions, so opening with this immediately sparks curiosity. It could be about anything — a TV show, a random fact, or even something completely made up. Giving someone a chance to weigh in makes them feel included, and it sets the stage for a back-and-forth exchange.
You can make it serious or fun, depending on the vibe. Something like “Is cereal a soup?” or “What’s the best biscuit of all time?” will instantly get a reaction.
2. “Guess what just happened to me!”
Source: Unsplash This works because it creates instant curiosity. They’ll want to know what happened, which naturally keeps the chat moving forward. It makes them feel like they’re in on something interesting right away.
It doesn’t even have to be something major — maybe your dog did something weird, you overheard the most bizarre conversation, or you just had a really awkward encounter. Either way, it’s a much stronger start than “hey.”
3. “Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses?”
Source: Unsplash Throwing out a fun hypothetical question is a great way to start a conversation that doesn’t feel forced. It instantly sets a playful tone and gives them something fun to think about.
There are endless variations of these kinds of questions, and they usually lead to some weird, funny, or even deep conversations. The best part is, there’s no wrong answer — it just opens up a back-and-forth exchange that’s fun for both of you.
4. “I just saw something that reminded me of you…”
Source: Unsplash This one is simple but effective because it makes the other person feel special. They’ll likely ask what it was, keeping the chat going. It works especially well if you have an inside joke or shared interest with them.
Even if the thing that reminded you of them is random or funny, it still makes the conversation feel personal rather than generic. It also makes them curious about what you associate with them.
5. “I have a controversial food opinion, and I need to know where you stand.”
Source: Unsplash Food debates always get people talking, whether it’s about pineapple on pizza, the best crisp flavours, or whether a Jaffa Cake is a biscuit or a cake. People tend to have strong opinions on things like this, which makes for an easy and entertaining conversation. If you pick a slightly ridiculous or highly debated food topic, it keeps things light and fun without any pressure.
6. “Tell me something random about your day.”
Source: Unsplash This is a great alternative to the usual “how was your day” question, which can sometimes feel repetitive or boring. It gives them the freedom to share anything, whether it’s funny, weird, or completely unexpected. It also works as a good way to check in with someone without feeling like you’re forcing a conversation. Sometimes, the most random details make for the best stories.
7. “What’s the weirdest fact you know off the top of your head?”
Source: Unsplash Most people have at least one random fact they love to share, and this question invites them to do just that. It’s a great way to get an interesting or unexpected response. You might end up learning something completely bizarre in the process, and it’s a great way to keep the chat from feeling stale.
8. “If today was a movie, what would the title be?”
Source: Unsplash This one makes the other person think, but in a fun way. It can be as dramatic, funny, or weird as they want. It’s an easy way to check in on someone’s day without asking the standard “how’s it going?” Their answer can tell you a lot about their mood, and it often leads to a deeper conversation about what’s been going on in their life.
9. “What’s the most unexpectedly great thing that’s happened to you lately?”
Source: Unsplash Sometimes, people don’t realise how many little good things happen in their daily lives until they stop to think about it. This question gets them to focus on something positive, which naturally makes for a more engaging conversation. It’s also a great way to move beyond small talk and into something a little more meaningful, without it feeling forced.
10. “You have to pick one food to eat for the rest of your life. What is it?”
Food-related questions always keep a conversation going, and everyone has a strong opinion on their favourite go-to meal. It’s simple, but it works. It also makes it easy to transition into talking about other things, like favourite restaurants, travel experiences, or even childhood comfort foods.
11. “I need a new TV show to watch — any recommendations?”
Asking for recommendations is a great way to start a conversation that actually goes somewhere. People love talking about their favourite shows, books, or music. Even if you don’t take their suggestion, it gives you a chance to talk about things you both like and find common ground.
12. “If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be?”
This type of question is interesting without being too complicated. It makes the other person think about their own interests and what they’d love to be amazing at. It’s a great way to learn more about them without asking direct, boring questions like “so what do you do for fun?”
13. “If I gave you £10,000 right now, what’s the first thing you’d buy?”
It’s a fun and lighthearted way to get someone talking about their dreams, interests, or guilty pleasures. Some people might go the practical route, while others will say something ridiculous — either way, it makes for an entertaining chat. It also gives insight into their personality. Would they spend it all on travel, splurge on something random, or invest it wisely? Either way, it opens the door for a fun conversation.
14. “I need help settling a debate: do you put milk in first or cereal?”
Bringing up a silly debate gets people instantly involved in the conversation, especially when it’s something as oddly passionate as the milk vs. cereal debate. You can throw in any lighthearted argument, whether it’s about pizza crust, tea-making methods, or the correct way to eat a KitKat. These kinds of playful debates always lead to fun discussions.
15. “I just remembered something hilarious from years ago…”
Starting a conversation with nostalgia, especially if it’s with someone you’ve known for a while, instantly grabs their attention. It makes them curious and gets them invested in the conversation. Even if it’s something completely random, sharing a funny memory is always a great way to get a conversation going in a natural way.
