Meeting someone new is exciting. The anticipation you feel before you even speak a word is almost indescribable. Allowing yourself to imagine the possibility of something more than just lunch or drinks is what creates those butterflies.  

And, sometimes, those feelings turn to nerves. Nerves that make you freeze up, get inside your head, and stall the conversation – and connection – before it even begins.  

Fortunately, there is a way to overcome your thoughts and settle into the date without missing a beat – tried and true conversation starters. Here are a few of our favorites for you to try on your next date. 

What was the highlight of your day/week so far? 

This is a great question to start out with. It asks your date to think back on positive experience of recent memory and allows you to find out what is important to them. Bonus points if your date responds with ‘meeting you’ (swoon).  

What was your dream job as a child? Did you pursue the dream? 

While understanding what your date current does for a living is somewhat interesting, finding out what their passion was as a child is more relatable. Maybe you will uncover that you both were determined to become astronauts in your youth and can have an engaging conversation about your favorite galaxies. 

If you could travel anywhere, and had no obligations at home, where would you go? 

Most people have been dreaming about a vacation since March 2020, so your date has had plenty of time to think about where they are going next. You can keep this conversation going by asking about what they would do on their vacation, if they have been there before, and where you are looking to visit. 

What book, podcast, or TV show are you currently into? 

Is your date hanging on to every word of a true crime podcast or do they prefer to catch up on today’s news during their commute? This question can shed a lot of light on your date’s interests and even help you discover a common bond between the two of you - perhaps they, too, are watching reruns of Friends every night. 

Now that you’re armed with some thought starters, don’t forget to listen, engage, and share a little bit about yourself, too! After all, that’s what fun, low-pressure first dates are all about. 

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Have a go-to first date topic or question we didn’t share? Head to our Facebook page and share your favorite way to get the conversation going.