10 Questions To Ask On A First Date
What’s the number one, most nerve-wracking thing about a first date? The awkward silences. They loom over, making everyone feel awkward, you loose your train of thought, and are unsure how to resurrect the conversation. They’re a silent death basically. So, here are 10 questions to ask on a first date, for when the conversation lulls, or you need an instant lifeline before resorting to a prompt ‘Check Please!’.
What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning?
I feel like this is a really great way to get to know someone, because it gives insight into what their priorities are, what their anxieties are, and what they spend the majority of their time thinking about.
If you could solve a mystery what would it be?
While this might seem an odd thing to discuss on a first date, this is such an interesting conversation starter. I mean, the chances are the response to this would be to do with one of the many true crime documentaries that’s come out recently, this is a really good way to get to know someone and what they’re interested in.
What was your first job?
Who doesn’t have an awful anecdote about their first job? Mine was in a pizza takeaway, and I smelled of grease for a full 6 months. You can learn a lot about someones history through this kind of question, and how they were brought up. Was their first job in high school to fund trips to the cinema and fast food, or in college to help pay rent? Or have they never had to get one because their parents pay for everything? In any case, this is a really good conversation starter
What country would you most like to visit?
Or what’s the favourite place you’ve visited. Talking about travel shows a lot about a person, whether they’re the type to fully immerse themselves in a new culture, or if they would prefer to travel somewhere hot and spend the time relaxing on the beach.
What’s your favourite holiday to celebrate?
I feel like this question says a lot about what a persons values are. Say for example, someone who’s favourite holiday is Christmas, is probably very family orientated, and this is a really good lead in to asking somebody about that. Similarly, for someone who loves halloween, this will lead you into topics about costumes, wild halloween parties, and the funniest halloween pranks they’ve pulled.
What’s your worst habit?
How someone responds to a question like this gives really good insight into them as a person, particularly how seriously they take themselves, because if you can’t joke about your most annoying habits, what can you joke about? And on the flip side, this is a good way to identify first date warning signs. Most people would probably say something like biting their nails or smoking, but if someone you’re dating hits you with a hella weird response to a question like this, you know it’s time to jump ship.
What’s one thing that always makes you laugh?
This question is pretty simple and light hearted, but at the same time very revealing. What makes you laugh most says a lot about you. Whether it’s a family member, a friend, or a podcast series, what makes you laugh is kind of the same as what brings you joy and makes you happy, which is a really good thing to be able to understand about someone.
What do you think the worst trend of all time is?
I feel like it’s good to mix kinda serious questions with some really not, and what is a better thing to laugh about than fashion trends that are embarrassing to even think about? From wedged sneakers, shoulder pads and all of the ridiculous viral denim trends of the past few years, this question is a really great way to bring some laughter into a conversation.
Do you have a hidden talent?
Again, a guarantee for laughs. Whether someone is secretly a musical prodigy, but doesn’t like to make a big deal out of it, or thinks that being able to down 8 pints constitutes a talent.
What is your favourite movie of all time?
I feel like someones favourite movie says a lot about them, particularly their reasons why the film is their favourite. This is a great first date question, because it’s the kind of thing that everyone can discuss, relate to and laugh about. Whether Legally Blonde inspired them to go to Law School, or Alice in Wonderland is an all time favourite, you’ll never get a bad response to this kind of question.
And lastly, avoid asking anything that’s super intense. All manner of stuff involved kids, marriage, love at first sight, etcetera, is wayyy too intense for a first date. These kind of questions are an instant mood killer, even if you are seriously curious about what someone’s response might be. You’ll learn more from their responses to simpler things, their subtleties, and how they act and interact with you, than putting them on the spot with something super intense.
