Perfriend

November 2, 2026 · 4 min read

How to start a conversation with a stranger (without saying "hi")

Openers that actually get replies, and why shared interests do half the work for you.

"hi" is the most skipped message in random chat. It gives the other person nothing to work with, so they're left choosing between writing your conversation for you or pressing Next.

The fix is simple: say something they can answer.

Start from what you share

When you match on Perfriend, you both see the interests you have in common. That's your opener. A specific question about a shared interest beats any generic greeting.

  • Shared #f1: "Who's your driver this season, and how wrong are you about them?"
  • Shared #books: "What's the last book you couldn't put down?"
  • Shared #gaming: "What are you playing right now that you'd actually recommend?"

Ask open questions

"Do you like music?" ends in one word. "What song have you had on repeat this week?" gives them something to talk about and gives you a follow-up.

Share a little back

Conversations die when one person interviews the other. Answer your own question too. It shows you're actually there, and it gives them something to react to.

It's fine to move on

Not every match clicks, and that's the point of random chat. Skip without guilt. When one does click, add them as a friend before you leave so you can pick it up later.

Ready to try it?

Start a text chat