Speaking sports is a universal language that many people can understand. As a woman, I will admit that I know very little about any one particular sporting event. I do, however, feel comfortable enough to use sports as a conversational icebreaker. It helps to avoid boredom and dead silence.

I hate to hear crickets chirping rather than the sounds of people talking. If I bring up sports, I am sure to get a reaction. Even if the person knows as little about sports as I do, they are likely to have an opinion on the topic. Almost everyone has a favorite team or figure, even if they are not a die-hard fan of the particular sport in question.

It is very easy to find sports information, even if you are not a fan. There is a section devoted entirely to sports in most local papers. Reading the paper, or skimming important categories can ensure that you won’t be left without anything to talk about. The news usually offers a segment on sports also. All you have to do is tune in and listen. You don’t have to know every single detail in order to spark a discussion.

With sports, there can be many conversations formed. There are hundreds of sports teams and figures. Just talking about one particular person or object can make for an hour-long discussion. A sport is definitely a topic that can be time consuming yet fun.

If you are interested in debating or just getting philosophical about issues, sports makes that possible also. There are many controversial issues and sports figures that people love to discuss. Sports is also something that brings varying opinions. Not every single person will like all the same teams.

Discussing sports can help establish common ground. You may find that you have an interest that is the same as the person you are talking to. Being on the same page helps many people feel more comfortable. From this, you may be able to move on to other conversations and hobbies.

Many people are very passionate about sports. Speaking of something close to their heart holds their attention. For those who really love sports, there is nothing they would rather talk about. Some people are convinced they bleed the color of their favorite team. If you show interest in what they like, you are likely to gain brownie points in their book.

Sports conversations can lead to physical activities. Many people want to play sports after discussing them. This can be a fun time for a one on one challenge or a friendly game just for fun. It is also a good way to learn new things, or teach the person you are talking to new things.

Asking questions about areas you don’t understand or having the person go into more detail about their thoughts is a great way to build up conversation ideas for the next time around. Breaking the ice with sports can be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.