Five Surefire Conversation Starters

We've all been there; you're alone at a social function, you don't know a soul and suddenly you find yourself standing next to someone. You know you have to make the dreaded party small talk, but truth be told, a pen through your eye would hurt less. Resist the urge to crawl into a hole and die. Instead, try these five surefire conversation starters:

1. Ask people how they know the host

The common denominator at weddings, dinner parties or backyard barbecues is the person or persons who sent out the invitation. People with a wide mix of friends often like to bring their various social circles together and see what happens. When you ask that person you've suddenly found yourself standing next to at the punch bowl how they know the host, the answers can range from the expected ("Joe and I work together,") to the intriguing ("Joe and I met last summer when we built a Habitat for Humanity House in Georgia.") No matter the answer, it will open the door to finding out what it is exactly Joe does for a living (since you've never really been sure) or what it's like to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. Either way, you will have learned something new that day.

2. Ask people what they do for a living

Maybe you work for a magazine and are always in need of photographers. It could turn out the person you struck up conversation with is one. You may even know a few of the same people. Or maybe you've always wanted to try photography and the person can give you some pointers. Asking people at a party what they do for a living is one of the easiest ways to get people's mouths moving. Most people like what they do and enjoy the opportunity to talk about it with others. Not only can the question lead to interesting conversations, it can even be a networking tool for you.

3. Ask people where they are from

These days, most people have migrated from some other city or even country. It could turn out you and the party guest you're chatting up are from the same city or town, or maybe even went to high school together (stranger things have happened). Or perhaps the person is originally from France and you travelled there last summer, thus opening the door to a whole new conversation.

4. Ask people where they live

Particularly if you live in a big city like Chicago or New York, this question can open up all sorts of topics. As the saying goes, the world is a small place. Perhaps this person is your neighbor or one of your favorite restaurants is in their neighborhood. People love to talk about the charms of their particular neighborhood and again, you never know where common themes, interests or even mutual friends might intersect.

5. Ask people where they went to school

With so many colleges and universities across the country, most everyone can bond over collegiate experiences. Maybe you went to rival schools or had the same major (even if you later changed yours) or perhaps you started off at that college and transferred. College is yet another common denominator that can open up all sorts of conversation opportunities.

Good luck and remember -- have fun!