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5 Tips if You Run Out of Things to Say

IRL is trending—and awkward silences are part of the deal. Here’s how to handle them.

There’s a growing hunger for real connection. Not the quick-hit kind that lives in likes or reacts, but the slow, unfiltered magic of being in the room. Face to face. Person to person.

But what happens when the convo dies?

If you've ever found yourself at a networking event, standing in front of someone who seems great but suddenly your brain is screaming “I have nothing else to say!”—you’re not alone.

This week, we came across a fantastic Charisma on Command episode from 7 years ago that is so relevant today. It delivers five practical ways to never run out of things to say. And they’re too good not to share.

(Side Quest: Take a gander at the comments section 😂😂)

⚓ IRL Talk Toolkit: 5 Tips for When Your Mind Goes Blank

1. “That reminds me of…”
Use your environment or what they just said as a launchpad. If they mention a trip to Japan, you might say “That reminds me of a documentary I watched on Japanese gardens…” You don’t need a perfect connection—just a spark.

2. Ask open-ended questions.
Instead of: “Do you like it there?”
Try: “How do you like living there?” or even “What’s something surprising about that place?”

And don’t forget the toddler superpower: ask why.
It helps you dive deeper into people’s motivations—why they chose their major, why they moved to a new city, why they love scuba diving.

3. Keep ‘revival questions’ in your back pocket.
When all else fails, try:

• “So what’s your story?”

• “How do you guys all know each other?”

• “Any exciting plans coming up?”

These questions revive conversation without needing a perfect segue.

4. Make a complimentary cold read.
Notice something about them—“You seem like someone who’d be great with kids,” or “You give off creative energy—do you do something artistic?” Even if you’re wrong, it opens a new door.

5. Get comfy with silence.
This one’s counterintuitive, but gold. Just pause. Breathe. Hold eye contact gently. More often than not, they’ll fill the space.
Bonus move: repeat the last few words they said. It’s like a gentle nudge that says, “Tell me more.”

🌊 Come As You Are

At Intern Ship events, we get the fear of awkwardness. That’s why we build activities and spaces where talking to strangers feels fun, not forced. But even still, these tips can help you navigate any room with more ease.

The truth? No one has it all figured out. We're all just trying to connect—with ourselves, with others, with something real. And sometimes that starts with a pause, a question, or even a nervous laugh.

You're not alone in that.