What Are the Typical Questions You Would Ask on a First Date?

Making the First Date Comfortable

First dates can be a mix of excitement and nerves. Creating a chill vibe is key for both of you. Let’s talk about breaking the ice and using humor to keep things light.

Breaking the Ice

Getting past the initial awkwardness is a must. Dr. Sabrina Romanoff, a relationship expert, says it’s totally normal to feel jittery on a first date (Verywell Mind). Having some go-to questions can help ease the tension and get the conversation flowing. Try these:

• Hobbies: “What do you love doing in your spare time?”
• Recent Adventures: “Been on any cool trips or done anything fun lately?”
• Favorite Foods: “What’s your ultimate comfort food?”

These questions can help fill any awkward silences and make you both feel more relaxed. For more ideas, check out our article on first date icebreakers.

Using Humor

Humor is a great way to connect and ease the tension on a first date. Damona Hoffman, host of the Dates & Mates podcast, swears by it (Cosmopolitan). Here’s how to use humor effectively:

• Be Yourself: Dating coach Alexis Germany says to trust your own sense of humor instead of trying too hard (Cosmopolitan).
• Keep It Light: Make jokes that are light-hearted and not too personal.
• Funny Questions: Throw in some funny questions to keep things lively. For example:
• “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?”
• “What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you?”

Humor can make the date more fun and help you connect. For more tips, check out our article on first date conversation tips.

By focusing on breaking the ice and using humor, you can make your first date a comfortable and enjoyable experience. For more advice on making a good impression, visit our guide on first date preparation.

Casual Conversation Starters

Nailing the right first date questions can make all the difference in setting a relaxed and fun vibe. Here are some easy-going conversation starters to help break the ice and get to know your date better.

Favorite Hobbies

Chatting about hobbies is a great way to dive into your date’s interests and passions. It’s an open-ended question that can lead to a deeper conversation and help you find common ground.

• “What do you love doing when you have some free time?”
• “Got any hobbies you’re super into?”
• “Picked up any new hobbies lately?”

Recent Adventures

Talking about recent adventures is a fun way to explore your date’s experiences and see what gets their adrenaline pumping. Whether it’s travel, a new activity, or a memorable event, this topic can lead to some great stories.

• “Been on any cool trips recently?”
• “What’s the most exciting thing you’ve done in the past month?”
• “Tried anything new and adventurous lately?”

Go-to Foods

Food is a universal topic that almost everyone loves to chat about. Asking about favorite foods and dining experiences can reveal a lot about your date’s tastes and preferences. Plus, it can help you plan future dates at their favorite spots.

• “What’s your favorite type of food?”
• “Got a go-to restaurant or dish?”
• “What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?”

For more ideas on how to keep the conversation flowing, check out our article on first date conversation tips.

Question Type	Example Questions
Favorite Hobbies	“What do you love doing when you have some free time?”
Recent Adventures	“Been on any cool trips recently?”
Go-to Foods	“What’s your favorite type of food?”

Engaging in light-hearted and open-ended questions can help make the first date more comfortable and enjoyable. For more tips on creating a positive first date impression, browse our other related articles.

Get to Know Each Other Better

First dates can be nerve-wracking, but asking the right questions can help you connect on a deeper level. Skip the small talk and dive into what really matters—your dreams, your past, and what makes you tick.

Life Goals

Want to know what makes your date tick? Ask about their life goals. This isn’t just about career ambitions; it’s about what they want out of life. Here are some ways to get the conversation rolling:

• “What are some big dreams you have?”
• “Where do you see yourself in five years?”
• “Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t yet?”

These questions can reveal a lot about your date’s passions and priorities. If your goals align, it could be the start of something special. For more tips on keeping the conversation meaningful, check out our article on first date conversation tips.

Family Background

Talking about family can give you a glimpse into your date’s upbringing and the people who have influenced them. Here are some questions to get to know their background:

• “Tell me about your family.”
• “Do you have any siblings? What’s your relationship like with them?”
• “Is there a family tradition you love?”

These questions can help you understand where your date comes from and what values they hold dear. For more on building connections, visit our page on first date impression.

Personal Values

Personal values are the core beliefs that guide us. Discussing these can help you see if you and your date are on the same page. Here are some questions to explore:

• “What values are most important to you?”
• “Is there a cause you’re passionate about?”
• “How do you define success?”

Understanding your date’s values can help you gauge compatibility. To keep the conversation going, consider using follow-up questions to dig deeper.

Here’s a quick summary of the deeper questions and their purposes:

Question Type	Sample Questions	Purpose
Life Goals	“What are some big dreams you have?”	Understand passions and priorities
Family Background	“Tell me about your family.”	Learn about upbringing and relationships
Personal Values	“What values are most important to you?”	Discover core beliefs and principles

For advice on what questions to avoid, check out our article on bad first date questions.

Fun and Hypothetical Questions

First dates can be nerve-wracking, but throwing in some fun and hypothetical questions can lighten the mood and make things more interesting. These questions not only spark creativity but also reveal some pretty cool stuff about the other person. Perfect for breaking the ice!

Dream Vacations

Talking about dream vacations is a great way to get to know someone’s interests and what makes them tick. Plus, who doesn’t love to daydream about their next big trip?

Example Question: “If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go and why?”

Question	Purpose
“If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go and why?”	Get a peek into their travel bucket list.
“What’s your favorite travel destination so far?”	Hear about their past adventures.
“Do you prefer relaxing on a beach or exploring a city?”	Find out if they’re a beach bum or a city explorer.

Need more ideas? Check out our guide on first date conversation tips.

Superpower Choices

Who hasn’t dreamed of having a superpower? This question can lead to some hilarious and insightful conversations about what kind of person they are.

Example Question: “If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?”

Question	Purpose
“If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?”	See what they value and how they think.
“Would you rather fly or be invisible?”	Get a sense of their preferences and imagination.
“Who is your favorite superhero and why?”	Dive into their pop culture likes.

Humor and imagination can really help ease any first-date jitters, as Damona Hoffman, host of the Dates & Mates podcast, suggests (Cosmopolitan).

Movie Preferences

Movies are a universal language. Talking about them can uncover shared interests and maybe even set the stage for a future movie date.

Example Question: “What’s your all-time favorite movie and why?”

Question	Purpose
“What’s your all-time favorite movie and why?”	Learn about their taste in films.
“If you could live in any movie universe, which one would it be?”	Explore their imaginative side.
“Who is your favorite actor or actress?”	Find out which celebrities they admire.

Want to make a killer first impression? Check out our article on first date impression.

These fun and hypothetical questions can be your secret weapon to keep the conversation flowing and make the date more enjoyable. For more tips on what to ask and what to avoid, take a look at our article on bad first date questions.

Questions About Dating

First dates can be nerve-wracking, but asking the right questions can turn them into fun and insightful experiences. These questions can help you figure out if you click and share common ground.

Past Experiences

Talking about past experiences can give you a peek into the other person’s dating history and what they value in a relationship. Try asking:

• “What have you learned from your past relationships?”
• “What qualities do you look for in a partner?”

These questions can help you understand their emotional readiness and what they find important in a relationship.

Dating App Stories

With so many people using dating apps, sharing stories about them can lead to some entertaining conversations. You might ask:

• “What’s your go-to dating app opener?” (Cosmopolitan)

This can reveal their approach to online dating and spark a fun chat about the quirks of dating apps. For more tips on breaking the ice, check out our article on first date icebreakers.

Worst First Dates

Talking about bad dates can be a great way to bond and lighten the mood. Everyone has a story, and sharing them can make you both laugh. Try asking:

• “What was your worst first date?” (Cosmopolitan)

This question can lead to shared laughter and help you both relax. For more conversation tips, check out our article on first date conversation tips.

Question Category	Example Question
Past Experiences	“What have you learned from your past relationships?”
Dating App Stories	“What’s your go-to dating app opener?”
Worst First Dates	“What was your worst first date?”

For more advice on making your first date a success, explore our articles on first date preparation and signs of a good first date. Asking these questions can help you create a memorable and enjoyable first date.

Building Connection

Making a connection on a first date goes beyond small talk. Getting into topics that foster a deeper bond can help both of you feel more at ease and engaged. Here are some areas to focus on:

Shared Interests

Talking about hobbies and interests can uncover common ground and spark lively conversations. Ask about what they like to do in their spare time or any passions they have. This can help you find shared interests, making it easier to plan future dates. For more tips on keeping the conversation going, check out our article on first date conversation tips.

Example Questions:

• “What do you like to do for fun?”
• “Got any favorite books, movies, or TV shows?”
• “What kind of music are you into?”

Future Plans

Discussing future goals can give you a peek into your date’s dreams and values. This can help you see if you’re on the same page and create a sense of shared purpose. Ask about their short-term and long-term plans, like career ambitions or travel dreams.

Example Questions:

• “What are your career goals?”
• “Any travel destinations on your bucket list?”
• “Where do you see yourself in five years?”

Mutual Friends

Mentioning mutual friends can make things feel more familiar and ease any initial awkwardness. If you know you have friends in common, bringing them up can be a great icebreaker. Talking about shared acquaintances can also build a sense of trust and commonality.

Example Questions:

• “How do you know [mutual friend]?”
• “Been to any events with [mutual friend] lately?”
• “What do you and [mutual friend] usually do together?”

Connecting on a first date is about finding common ground and diving into topics that reveal your date’s true self. By focusing on shared interests, future plans, and mutual friends, you can create a meaningful and enjoyable conversation. For more ideas on what to ask, check out our list of first date questions.

For more tips, explore our articles on first date preparation, first date icebreakers, and first date body language to make a great first impression.