50 First-Date Conversation Topics and Questions to Ask a Potential Partner

While first dates can be fun and exciting, they can also be a bit uncomfortable and intimidating—especially if you run out of things to talk about during the first few minutes of the date. Plus, it can also be hard to keep a conversation alive without it starting to feel like a job interview. But there is good news: You no longer have to deal with dreaded awkward silences or uncomfortable pauses because we've compiled a list of 50 first-date questions to ask a potential partner.

Read on for the best topics to talk about, from initial background information questions to ice-breakers and out-of-the-box prompts. Trust us, our guide will not only help you connect with your love interest but it'll also up your chances of snagging date number two.

First-Date Questions About the Basics

When getting to know someone you're interested in dating, it's always best to start with the basics to get a general idea of who they are. Once you know more about your date's background, you'll be able to guide the conversation to more interesting places and preemptively avoid those awkward lulls. Not to mention, discussing things like how you spend your days or where you live and whether or not you enjoy the environment sets a great foundation for conversation building.

Here are a few questions to consider asking:

• What neighborhood do you live in now? Do you like the community there?
• I'd love to hear about what your work day looks like!
• What are some things you love about living in this area?
• I've been loving [insert restaurant/shop/etc.]—have you ever been there?
• Do you enjoy what you do for a living?

First-Date Questions About Childhood Memories

When you and your date share your experiences from your childhood, it can help increase the bonding between the two of you, as well as help you learn more about each other. Whether you come from very similar or very different backgrounds, talking about where you’re from, your family life, and details from your childhood can help reveal new insights about one another.

For example, you may find that while you're the youngest of four and they're an only child, you still watched the same shows, played the same video games, and went to similar summer camps. Just be sure to frame your questions in a creative way rather than sounding like a census questionnaire.

Below are a few questions to help get the conversation flowing:

• What were you interested in while you were in school?
• What's your family like?
• Do you have any siblings?
• Do you have a favorite childhood memory?
• Did you have any pets growing up?

First-Date Questions About Personal Preferences

If family matters and childhood experiences feel a little too deep for the first date, you can divert to simple anecdotal questions for a glimpse into what their personality is like. These can also lead to discussions about overlapping interests, qualities, and preferences.

Consider asking this-or-that type questions like:

• Are you an early bird or a night owl?
• Are you a dog or a cat person?
• Are you an idealist, a pessimist, or a realist?

For more open-ended responses, consider questions like:

• What's your perfect day?
• What do you and your friends do for fun?
  

First-Date Questions About Movies, TV Shows, and Books

In today’s world of Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and Audible, there's definitely no lack of streaming services or access to movies, shows, or literature. With this in mind, talking about the different TV series you're watching, dishing on must-see movies, and telling them more about your all-time favorite books can help keep the conversation flowing while you and your date reveal more about your respective personalities.

For example, if you love Love Is Blind, can’t get enough of Succession, or have read everything by Dan Brown, these can be great starting points for first-date conversations. As you discuss what's binge-worthy and what's hot right now, it can help you to see if there are any sparks between you and your date. You can broach the topic by saying something like:

• I just finished [insert TV show] and need something new to watch. Have you watched anything good lately that you'd recommend?
• What was your favorite cartoon as a kid?
• Are you reading anything interesting at the moment?
• Are you a TV or movie person?
• Who's your favorite fictional character from a movie, TV show, or book?

First-Date Questions About Your Hobbies

When you’re on a first date, it’s important to talk about your favorite pastimes and passions and share what makes you who you are. If you’re a guitarist, a yogi, or an avid football fan, opening up about your interests can help create new opportunities for you and your date to get to know each other on a more meaningful level. Additionally, you'll learn about their preferences while also gauging how much free time they actually have and how they spend it.

Think about these questions to get the conversation started:

• Do you have any hobbies that you've recently started?
• What's your favorite thing to do on a day off of work?
• I just started [insert hobby]—have you tried it before?
• Is there an activity you do regularly?
  

First-Date Questions About Travel

Speaking of hobbies, do you consider yourself a jet-setter? Are you hoping to visit Greece one day? Did you recently take a trip to Hawaii? Talking about travel is a top first-date conversation because it enables you to share your travel stories (both the good and the bad), open up about places you'd like to go one day, and discover any potential incompatibilities. You and your date can learn more about each other's interests and passions as you open up about your ideal types of vacations and favorite travel spots.

Here are some topics to get you started:

• What's your bucket list travel destination (or destinations)?
• Do you have a travel experience that you'll never forget?
• How do you feel about flying?
• Have you ever lived abroad, or do you want to?
• How often do you like to travel?
• What is the most memorable travel experience you've ever had?

First-Date Questions About Music

Since you can learn a lot about a person by talking about their favorite music, it's definitely a great conversation topic for any first date. While you may learn that you and your date enjoy the same types of music, and may have even seen the same bands or festivals live, you can also expand your own music repertoire as you learn about the genres and bands that your date likes. Plus, a first date can be a great way to get new band recommendations.

A few of our favorite conversation starters are:

• What's the best live music show you've ever been to?
• Do you like making playlists?
• Which artist or genre do you think best represents your music personality?
• Have you ever been to a music festival?
• What artist would you love to see live, but haven't had the chance to yet?

First-Date Questions About Your Ambitions

Where do you see yourself in five years? How about in 10 years? When it comes to these bigger life questions, being able to candidly talk about your goals, hopes, and desires on a first date can be a great way to get to know someone better. Your goals don’t have to be just career-oriented—the key is to share what you’d like to accomplish, whether it’s learning how to play guitar or mastering French cooking, as this can help your date learn more about your interests and priorities. 

Here are a few questions to get you started:

• What's an accomplishment you're most proud of?
• What is your dream job?
• Do you have any goals you're actively working towards accomplishing?
• Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?

First-Date Questions About Food

Since first dates don't always involve food, talking about food can be a great way to set the stage (or set the table) for a second date. As you open up about your favorite restaurants, cuisines, and bakeries, you and your date can discuss the best places in town for a bite, as well as the best meal you've ever had.

Here are a few great starters to get the conversation going:

• I'm looking for some new restaurants to try in the area for a work dinner next week. Do you have any suggestions?
• What is your favorite dish?
• Are you a good cook?
• What meals do you enjoy cooking the most?
• Do you enjoy sweet or savory dishes?

Miscellaneous First-Date Questions

If small talk bores you, consider getting more creative with your questions; you could end up finding out more about them than you expected, for better or for worse. But, of course, only ask the questions you're interested in learning the answers to. Here are some of our favorites:

• What are the little things that always make your day better?
• If you could relive any day, what would it be?
• What makes you laugh?
• What were the weirdest quirks and habits you had as a kid?
• What item in your bedroom do you most represent or personify?
• What's one quality you wish you had?
  

Additional First-Date Conversation Tips

Even the best first-date questions and most impeccable timing can't save an awkward match. If the chemistry isn't there, you'll likely know it after deftly delivering those questions. If things are going badly and you still feel really awkward, or you aren't sure how to fill the silences, you could give it one more shot with an open question or subtly put things to an end. Graciously end the evening with something along the lines of "I have a pretty long day tomorrow and need to be up early. Let's grab the check?" or "I didn't realize it was getting so late! I promised my roommate we'd grab dessert, so I should be heading back soon."

Likewise, if it's going really well, you could extend the date or end it on a positive note. Keep the positive momentum alive with "There's a really cool bar around the corner. Want to switch scenes and check it out?" or "Should we get another round, or are you ready to split the bill?" If you'd prefer to call it a night and schedule another date, try a subtly leading question like "How's the rest of your workweek looking? Do you have any fun weekend plans?"