Hello. You look nice. Lovely weather today. Sorry I trod on your foot.

There are loads of ways to start a conversation and it doesn’t really matter what you say (except, perhaps the foot comment) so long as you seem genuinely interested and not trying out a line.

The thing most people struggle with is what to say after ‘hello’. Remember you only need to chat for as long as you are interested and the person you are chatting to seems interested.

After you’ve broken the ice you can ask them how their day has been, what they think of the place you are in, or if they’re having a good night out.

Often at this point guys panic and start thinking they need loads of follow up lines but all you need do to keep the conversation going is to listen. Someone who wants to chat will answer you and you can then pick up on a cue within their reply to keep things moving. So ‘you’re out for a friend’s birthday? Who’s the birthday girl? When’s your birthday?’.

If someone likes you they’ll not only give you the chance to ask more questions but should reply in a way that includes you. Something like ‘My birthday’s in August, when’s yours?’.

Conversations don’t have to be deep, intellectual or really mean anything. It’s just a way of breaking the ice and seeing if you like each other.

If you do, don’t feel you have to drag on the chat. Simply say ‘I’ve enjoyed talking to you and would like to talk again soon – can I have your number?’