Do you find yourself looking for conversation topics in the company of friends, colleagues or strangers? Conversation is an art and unfortunately, not all of us are equally gifted. But like any other skill, even conversational skills can be picked up over time. So if you find yourself searching for conversation topics, this handy list might be of help:

1. Talk about current eventsCurrent events are easily among the most popular conversation topics. Just a simple question such as "what do you think of ---" can get the conversation started. You have to be a bit careful though - don't talk about controversial issues such as politics or religion, and make sure to pick a topic that is well known enough for the other person to have an opinion on.

2. Talk about sportsSports make for a great topic to talk about, especially if you are hanging out with a bunch of male friends or colleagues. Talk about your favorite players, last night's game, of favorite teams to get the ball rolling. Sports is not the best topic to start off a conversation with a girl on a date, however, so make sure that if you are talking about sports, the other person is interested in it.

3. Talk about friends and familyPeople love to talk about their family, their friends, or even their pet. If you have a common friend, or if you know a member of the other person's family, it can be a great conversation starter. Keep in mind though - no personal questions, unless the other person starts first.

4. Music and MoviesA new movie comes out every week and there are dozens of bands releasing their albums every day. These can be great conversation starters, especially if you know the other person's likes or dislikes. Movies are a safer topic than music as the latter tends to vary a lot from person to person while you'll find a lot of common threads with the former.