First date questions to help break the ice

Keep the conversation flowing all night by asking these 6 first date questions

When it comes to dating we all know that first meet-up is crucial. Whether or not you’ve laid some groundwork beforehand by chatting on a dating app, or striking up conversation in real life, the date itself is the make-or-break scenario that will determine whether that second meet-up is on the cards. Nailing the conversation on a first date isn’t actually as tricky as you might think. A good rule of thumb is to ask lots of questions. It’s established scientific fact that people are considered more attractive when they ask their date questions, and even more so when they ask follow-up questions. In one study looking at speed daters it was found that participants were more likely to pursue a second date if they were asked follow-up questions – i.e. the date asked a question, listened to the response, and then asked another question on the basis of that response. Just remember, simply interrogating is not the way to go. Ask questions, listen to what your date says, and engage with the conversation by offering your own experiences and insights. Most importantly, don’t rush the conversation because you’re terrified of pauses – the odd lull is to be expected! With all that in mind, here are some interesting and fun first date questions to get you inspired.

First date question 1: How was your day? You might be tempted to ask about their journey to the restaurant, or if they’re enjoying the weather, but the best icebreaker on a date is to simply ask about their day. This is a quick and easy way to open up the conversation that shows you’re interested in their well-being and what they do. If they end up talking about work, this is a natural way for you to talk about your own career. If they tell you about a recent film or football match they watched, or a great art exhibit they visited, this opens up the conversation to talking about hobbies and interests. And remember, if they’ve had a terrible day then you’ve got the opportunity to turn it around for them – ideally by ordering a couple of glasses of champagne…

First date question 2: What’s a typical day at work for you? This question is a better way of asking your date what they do for a living. It gives them the opportunity to dig into the specifics of their job, rather than simply dashing off their job title and moving on to something else. This question can also deliver some great work-based anecdotes. Within a few minutes you might be sharing stories about your most annoying colleague, or bonding over funny experiences at a corporate retreat. If there’s one topic we can all sink our teeth into it’s a bit of office gossip.

First date question 3: Have you got any holidays planned? Travel is one of the best things to talk about on a date, but it’s not always easy to initiate. You shouldn’t assume that your date has had the opportunity (or the funds) to visit lots of different countries around the world. That’s why the holiday question is a great way in. Maybe your date only ever holidays in the UK, or maybe they’ve spent months backpacking abroad – whatever their travel experiences, a simple question about what kind of trips they have planned is a great way to open up this conversation.