When you meet someone new and can’t think of anything to say, there are five surefire topics that will kick off a conversation, says an expert---but there are five conversation killers you should definitely avoid. Here are the five great conversation starters: Animals ---Most people have pets. “When you meet someone, you could say something like, I have a beagle who keeps me on my toes. Do you won a dog?” suggested psychologist David Smith. Food ---“Everyone eats, so food is a good topic. If the person is dieting, you can have a good conversation about the type of diet he’s on,” said Dr. Smith. Apartment or houses ---“Everyone lives someplace and almost everyone has a story to tell about how they came to live there,” said Dr. Smith. “A conversation opener might be, ‘Do you have an apartment? How did you find it?’” Spare-time activities ---“almost everyone has a hobby or something they like to do in their spare time. To get a conversation going, find out about these interests.” Shopping ---“Everyone shops and even the worse” Here are five conversation killers to avoid until you know the person better: Jobs ---If you mention that you have a prestigious white-collar job, but the person you're talking to works at a menial job, an awkward situation might develop. Love life ---It’s much too intimate to discuss with strangers. “If you begin a conversation by asking someone about their love life or telling about yours, you’re sure to turn them off,” said Dr. Smith. Politics ---Most people are very emotional about their political beliefs and if you disagree with them, friendly conversation might be impossible Origins ---If you ask a person where they’re from, they may be afraid you’ll judge them based on their origins. Children ---“Many people don’t have children and aren’t interested in them. Still others are just tired of hearing people go on and on about their children,” said Dr. Smith.