How to Respond to “What’s New” | 27 Clever Replies

In the world of small talk, “What’s new” stands tall as one of the most common questions. Responding to this simple query can set the tone for engaging conversations, be it with friends, family, colleagues, or acquaintances. Knowing the ideal response can transform a seemingly mundane inquiry into a gateway for meaningful dialogue.

Instead of a one-word reply or a generic statement, offer a specific detail or an engaging story related to your recent experiences. This helps in steering the conversation towards a more enriching interaction.

27 Clever Ways on How to Respond to Whats New

1. I recently picked up [activity/hobby]! It’s been a refreshing change.
2. Been exploring [topic/interest], and it’s been fascinating!
3. Recently accomplished [achievement], and it’s been incredibly rewarding.
4. I’ve started reading [book/title]. It’s quite captivating!
5. Discovered a fantastic [place/activity]. It’s been a delightful find!
6. Been practicing [skill/activity], and it’s been challenging but rewarding.
7. Recently visited [place]. It was an unforgettable experience!
8. Started a new project [describe project]. It’s been quite exciting.
9. Delved into [topic/subject] lately. It’s been eye-opening!
10. Recently watched [movie/show]. It’s a must-watch!
11. Recently dabbled in [activity/interest], and it’s been quite enjoyable.
12. Been exploring [new place/neighborhood]. It’s been full of surprises!
13. Recently attended [event/activity]. It was an enriching experience!
14. Started a new routine [describe routine]. It’s been refreshing.
15. Been experimenting with [cooking/recipes]. It’s been quite fun!
16. Recently discovered [new hobby/interest]. It’s been fascinating!
17. Started volunteering [organization/cause]. It’s been rewarding.
18. Been exploring podcasts [topic]. It’s been eye-opening!
19. Recently started a side project [describe project]. It’s been challenging but exciting.
20. Been diving into [topic/subject]. It’s been a thought-provoking journey!
21. Recently joined a [club/group]. It’s been a great way to meet new people!
22. Started journaling daily. It’s been quite therapeutic.
23. Been learning a new language [language]. It’s been challenging but rewarding.
24. Recently started a mindfulness practice. It’s been transformative.
25. Exploring different cuisines lately. It’s been a delicious journey!
26. Been taking up photography as a hobby. It’s been creatively fulfilling.
27. Recently started a new workout regimen. It’s been energizing!

Explanations

1. “I recently picked up [activity/hobby]! It’s been a refreshing change.”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Family ✅Why it’s effective: Shares a recent activity, suitable for casual conversations.

Example usage:
Friend: What’s new?
You: I recently picked up painting! It’s been a refreshing change.

2. “Been exploring [topic/interest], and it’s been fascinating!”

• Suitable for: Coworkers ✅, Acquaintances ✅Why it’s effective: Highlights an interest, suitable for professional or casual settings.

Example usage:
Colleague: What’s new?
You: Been exploring quantum physics, and it’s been fascinating!

3. “Recently accomplished [achievement], and it’s been incredibly rewarding.”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Coworkers ✅Why it’s effective: Shares an accomplishment, suitable for various relationships.

Example usage:
Friend: What’s new?
You: Recently accomplished my first marathon, and it’s been incredibly rewarding.

4. “I’ve started reading [book/title]. It’s quite captivating!”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Acquaintances ✅Why it’s effective: Discusses a recent interest, suitable for casual conversations.

Example usage:
Acquaintance: What’s new?
You: I’ve started reading ‘Sapiens.’ It’s quite captivating!

5. “Discovered a fantastic [place/activity]. It’s been a delightful find!”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Family ✅Why it’s effective: Shares a discovery, suitable for relaxed conversations.

Example usage:
Friend: What’s new?
You: Discovered a fantastic hiking trail nearby. It’s been a delightful find!

6. “Been practicing [skill/activity], and it’s been challenging but rewarding.”

• Suitable for: Coworkers ✅, Acquaintances ✅Why it’s effective: Discusses personal growth, suitable for professional or casual discussions.

Example usage:
Colleague: What’s new?
You: Been practicing coding, and it’s been challenging but rewarding.

7. “Recently visited [place]. It was an unforgettable experience!”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Coworkers ✅Why it’s effective: Shares a recent experience, suitable for various relationships.

Example usage:
Friend: What’s new?
You: Recently visited Kyoto. It was an unforgettable experience!

8. “Started a new project [describe project]. It’s been quite exciting.”

• Suitable for: Coworkers ✅, Acquaintances ✅Why it’s effective: Discusses a new project, suitable for professional or casual settings.

Example usage:
Acquaintance: What’s new?
You: Started a new project in web design. It’s been quite exciting.

9. “Delved into [topic/subject] lately. It’s been eye-opening!”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Coworkers ✅Why it’s effective: Shares an interest or study, suitable for various relationships.

Example usage:
Friend: What’s new?
You: Delved into psychology lately. It’s been eye-opening!

10. “Recently watched [movie/show]. It’s a must-watch!”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Acquaintances ✅Why it’s effective: Recommends entertainment, suitable for casual discussions.

Example usage:
Acquaintance: What’s new?
You: Recently watched ‘Dune.’ It’s a must-watch!

11. “Recently dabbled in [activity/interest], and it’s been quite enjoyable.”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Coworkers ✅Why it’s effective: Shares a recent interest, suitable for casual or professional conversations.

Example usage:
Friend: What’s new?
You: Recently dabbled in pottery, and it’s been quite enjoyable.

12. “Been exploring [new place/neighborhood]. It’s been full of surprises!”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Acquaintances ✅Why it’s effective: Discusses exploration, suitable for casual conversations.

Example usage:
Acquaintance: What’s new?
You: Been exploring the downtown area. It’s been full of surprises!

13. “Recently attended [event/activity]. It was an enriching experience!”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Coworkers ✅Why it’s effective: Shares a recent event, suitable for various relationships.

Example usage:
Friend: What’s new?
You: Recently attended a photography workshop. It was an enriching experience!

14. “Started a new routine [describe routine]. It’s been refreshing.”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Family ✅Why it’s effective: Discusses a new routine, suitable for personal conversations.

Example usage:
Family member: What’s new?
You: Started a morning yoga routine. It’s been refreshing.

15. “Been experimenting with [cooking/recipes]. It’s been quite fun!”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Acquaintances ✅Why it’s effective: Shares a recent hobby, suitable for casual conversations.

Example usage:
Acquaintance: What’s new?
You: Been experimenting with new recipes. It’s been quite fun!

16. “Recently discovered [new hobby/interest]. It’s been fascinating!”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Coworkers ✅Why it’s effective: Highlights a new interest, suitable for various relationships.

Example usage:
Friend: What’s new?
You: Recently discovered woodworking. It’s been fascinating!

17. “Started volunteering [organization/cause]. It’s been rewarding.”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Acquaintances ✅Why it’s effective: Discusses volunteer work, suitable for casual conversations.

Example usage:
Acquaintance: What’s new?
You: Started volunteering at the local shelter. It’s been rewarding.

18. “Been exploring podcasts [topic]. It’s been eye-opening!”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Coworkers ✅Why it’s effective: Discusses new sources of information, suitable for various relationships.

Example usage:
Friend: What’s new?
You: Been exploring podcasts on psychology. It’s been eye-opening!

19. “Recently started a side project [describe project]. It’s been challenging but exciting.”

• Suitable for: Coworkers ✅, Acquaintances ✅Why it’s effective: Discusses a new project, suitable for professional or casual discussions.

Example usage:
Colleague: What’s new?
You: Recently started a blog project. It’s been challenging but exciting.

20. “Been diving into [topic/subject]. It’s been a thought-provoking journey!”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Acquaintances ✅Why it’s effective: Shares an interest or study, suitable for casual discussions.

Example usage:
Acquaintance: What’s new?
You: Been diving into astrophysics. It’s been a thought-provoking journey!

21. “Recently joined a [club/group]. It’s been a great way to meet new people!”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Acquaintances ✅Why it’s effective: Discusses social activities, suitable for casual conversations.

Example usage:
Acquaintance: What’s new?
You: Recently joined a hiking club. It’s been a great way to meet new people!

22. “Started journaling daily. It’s been quite therapeutic.”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Family ✅Why it’s effective: Discusses a personal habit, suitable for personal conversations.

Example usage:
Family member: What’s new?
You: Started journaling daily. It’s been quite therapeutic.

23. “Been learning a new language [language]. It’s been challenging but rewarding.”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Acquaintances ✅Why it’s effective: Highlights language learning, suitable for casual discussions.

Example usage:
Acquaintance: What’s new?
You: Been learning French. It’s been challenging but rewarding.

24. “Recently started a mindfulness practice. It’s been transformative.”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Coworkers ✅Why it’s effective: Discusses personal growth, suitable for various relationships.

Example usage:
Friend: What’s new?
You: Recently started a mindfulness practice. It’s been transformative.

25. “Exploring different cuisines lately. It’s been a delicious journey!”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Acquaintances ✅Why it’s effective: Discusses culinary exploration, suitable for casual discussions.

Example usage:
Acquaintance: What’s new?
You: Exploring different cuisines lately. It’s been a delicious journey!

26. “Been taking up photography as a hobby. It’s been creatively fulfilling.”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Coworkers ✅Why it’s effective: Discusses a new hobby, suitable for various relationships.

Example usage:
Friend: What’s new?
You: Been taking up photography as a hobby. It’s been creatively fulfilling.

27. “Recently started a new workout regimen. It’s been energizing!”

• Suitable for: Friends ✅, Acquaintances ✅Why it’s effective: Discusses a health-related activity, suitable for casual discussions.

Example usage:
Acquaintance: What’s new?
You: Recently started a new workout regimen. It’s been energizing!

 

Conclusion:

Incorporating these responses can transform the generic question “What’s new?” into an engaging conversation starter. By adding depth and specificity to your responses, you invite meaningful interactions, fostering stronger connections in various aspects of life. Start implementing these techniques and witness your conversations thrive with richer, more engaging exchanges.