# 7 Social Topics to Avoid in First Conversations

> People with high social intelligence skip these 7 topics when meeting someone new.
- Title: 7 Social Topics to Avoid in First Conversations · Psychologies
- Summary: People with high social intelligence skip these 7 topics when meeting someone new. Those with strong social skills avoid money, politics, religion, sex…
- Keywords: social intelligence, small talk, conversation, money, politics, religion, sex, death, appearance, gossip, personal knowledge, relationships
- Source: Psychologies — https://psychologies.com/moi/moi-et-les-autres-moi/Les-personnes-dotees-dune-grande-intelligence-sociale-evitent-generalement-ces-7-sujets-lorsquelles-viennent-de-rencontrer-quelquun-592956
- Author: Louise Leboyer
- Published: 2026-09-26T11:09:11+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: social intelligence, small talk, conversation, money, politics, religion, sex, death, appearance, gossip, personal knowledge, relationships
## Why small talk is hard
People with low social confidence often try to start conversations to avoid silence but some topics cause embarrassment for everyone.
## Social anxiety causes fear
Excessive fear of social interactions can be linked to social anxiety, which may come from biological factors, brain structure, or past embarrassing experiences.
## Hidden flaws in small talk
Small talk can reveal deep flaws people try to hide, as they fear being judged and rejected if they share too much.
## 7 topics to avoid
People with high social intelligence skip money, politics, religion, sex, death, appearance, gossip, personal knowledge, and past relationships to prevent awkwardness.
## How to improve small talk
Break the ice with weather, culture, sports, work, travel, or family to build smooth conversations without embarrassment.
## Key takeaway

Those with strong social skills avoid money, politics, religion, sex, death, appearance, gossip, and personal knowledge to prevent awkwardness in early conversations.