Rank the small-talk topics you'd reach for at a party from safest to riskiest, and tell me why.

A natural way to answer

I'd put the weather and the event itself at the very safe end, then move to hobbies and travel, which usually gets people talking. Towards the risky end I'd place anything personal — health, money, relationships — and right at the bottom, politics and religion, which I always steer clear of with new people.

Key phrases to use

• got a story — have an interesting personal anecdote to share“Ask about pets and everyone's got a story.”
• steer clear of — deliberately avoid something or someone“I steer clear of politics at dinner.”
• asking for trouble — doing something likely to cause problems“Bringing up religion is asking for trouble.”
• get people talking — spark conversation and get others to join in“A good question gets people talking.”