First dates nerves hit us all. Even if you’ve already been chatting online, the anticipation and nervous excitement that comes with meeting someone new in person is unlike anything else. A great way to help steer the date in the right direction is to kick it off with a few first date icebreakers.
If you’re desperate to avoid that awkward moment when the conversation goes quiet, having a few first date icebreaker questions up your sleeve is essential. But what questions are good for a first date? To help get you started, here are a few ways to break the ice and get the conversation flowing on a first date.
First Date Icebreakers: 15 Questions to Get the Conversation Flowing
Knowing what to talk about on a first date isn’t always easy. Oftentimes, the best — and most natural — way to get the conversation flowing is through a first date icebreaker question. To help get you started, we’ve put together 15 of the best icebreaker questions for dating that you can try. Check them out below!
1. Did you grow up around here?
Asking a lot of questions on a first date shows that you’re genuinely interested in the person sitting opposite. A great way to kick off the conversation is by asking about location. Seems a little boring, right? Well, that depends on how you ask.
If you ask “Where do you live?” or something similar, you’re likely to get a short, one-word answer. But by asking about where they grew up, you’re going to learn more about their childhood and their journey to where they are now.
2. What’s your first memory?
Speaking of childhood, this first date icebreaker question can spark a lot of nostalgia — which often leads to a lot of talking. Our first memories reveal a lot about us. They show how we were raised, what we were like as kids, and what sticks with us the most. Talking about first memories is like unlocking a time capsule, and it’s always fun to explore this together on a first date.
3. What’s your dream job?
Whether we like it or not, jobs take up a lot of our lives. So, if you want to get to know someone meaningfully, you’re going to have to learn what they do professionally. But, asking “What do you do?” can be a bit boring, and sometimes people would rather just not talk about work while they’re enjoying a date.
However, by asking about their dream job, you’ll learn more about your date than if you just asked what they currently do. You’ll get an insight into what matters to them in a job, what their long-term goals are, and how they hope to reach their dreams.
4. What’s the last [blank] you [blank] that really stuck with you?
This first date icebreaker is designed to help you learn if you and your partner share similar interests. Are you an avid reader of romance novels? Ask about the last book they read that meant something to them. Is your happy place the movie theater? Ask what movie they saw most recently that had them on the edge of their seat. Tailor this question to your interests to discover if they share that interest with you.
5. Who’s your best friend?
The way your date answers this question can tell you a lot about them. If they say that their best friend is a parent, you know they’re likely pretty family oriented. Or they might tell you about their old roommate from college, in which case you’ll learn about how their friendship bond has stayed so strong over the years.
You might even get a non-human answer. How many of us count our dog as our best friend? No matter what the answer, you’ll get a window into their life and a snapshot of their priorities.
6. What do you usually do on weekends?
When it comes to first date icebreakers, this one is important. Everyone spends their free time differently and having an insight into what they normally do will tell you a lot about them. Knowing what their weekends typically look like is a fun way to get a sneak peek into their day-to-day lifestyle.
7. What trip have you always wanted to take?
Like the question about weekends, asking about vacations can tell you who a person is outside of their regular working hours. Have they always wanted to visit where their mom grew up? Or are they an adrenaline-seeker looking to go to every theme park they can? We all get a limited amount of time to travel, so what we do with that time matters.
8. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
When it comes to fun first date icebreakers, this is a great one to go with. The last thing you want is for the date to turn into a job interview, with boring questions that don’t help either of you to feel relaxed.
Asking about the craziest thing they’ve ever done, and telling them about yours, is a great way to ease any nerves and tension. Plus, it’s sure to get you both talking — and laughing!
9. If you were the host of your own podcast, what would it be about?
First dates are all about kickstarting a real, meaningful connection. The best way to do this is by getting to know each other and a great way to do that is by asking them, “If you hosted a podcast, what would it be about?”
Whether they’re into relationship podcasts, crime, or history, this icebreaker will inevitably lead to them telling you about what they’re most interested in, giving you a nice insight into their passions and hobbies. To keep the conversation flowing, follow up by asking them what podcasts they’re currently listening to and when they usually listen to them.
10. If you could only keep one app on your phone, which one would you choose?
When it comes to icebreakers for a first date, this one is sure to get you both talking! The app they pick out will likely give you some inside info about what they’re into and where they like to spend their energy. If you’re a music lover, here’s hoping they choose Spotify as the one app they’d keep!
11. Do you have a bucket list?
Have they always dreamed of spending six months traveling across Asia? Do they have the long-standing goal of running a marathon? Whatever it might be, asking them what’s on their bucket list is one of the best first date icebreakers.
Talking about what they’ve always wanted to do is a great way to meaningfully connect with someone. It’ll also help you both to figure out whether you’re interests and hobbies align.
12. Who’s your celebrity crush?
Laughter not only helps to ease any nerves but it’s also one of the most common signs of attraction. That’s why, when you’re thinking of icebreaker questions for dating, don’t be afraid to throw some funny ones in there.
Asking about their celebrity crush is always a great one. It’s sure to result in a good chuckle and you’ll also get some insight into the type of person your date is into.
13. What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Similarly, this one is sure to produce a few laughs! Find out what song they’d pick and tell them about yours. It’s a great way to kickstart the conversation and you might even get to discover a bit about their music taste and how it aligns with yours. Classic love songs anyone?
14. Do you have a mentor/role model?
A great way to spark conversation with someone new is by asking them about who their role model is and why. Asking them about influential figures in their life can give you an inside look into their character and some of the factors that shaped who they are today.
15. Are you feeling as nervous as I am?
Finally, this first date icebreaker question might seem counterintuitive. but admitting you’re nervous can be a great way to go. By saying that you’re a little nervous, you’re opening the door for your date to share their feelings, which can kick off a conversation. Plus, you can poke a little fun at yourselves while you share, which can make the atmosphere feel more relaxed.
First Date Icebreakers: Spark Meaningful Conversation
There are tons of options when it comes to first date icebreaker questions. The best choices should help you spark real, meaningful conversation, ease any nerves, and help you both to get to know each other better. Pick a few of your favorites from our list above and you’ll get a better picture of the person you’re talking to, perfectly setting yourself up for a memorable second date!
