Do you get stuck in situations where the uncomfortable silence just stretches on? You can easily make things comfortable by asking some simple questions. These would not only break the ice, but would also help you get to know the other person.
Getting to know someone can be made easy if you know the right questions to ask. It might be a blind date, or some other situation where you need to break the ice. The air of awkwardness can be easily cleared if you take the first step and ask a few simple things like the person’s name or his likes and dislikes. Once you get comfortable, you can explore your options and ask some more.
► Just Generally ◄
You might feel that these questions are unnecessary or are too silly to ask, but these are the best conversation starters. They are not offending, neither do they intrude or cross the boundary, therefore, are perfectly safe. Here are some good questions to ask, when you have met someone for the first time.
▪▪▪ What Zodiac do you belong to?
▪▪▪ If you could learn any language fluently, what would it be?
▪▪▪ What talents do you have?
▪▪▪ What type of music do you like?
▪▪▪ What phrase do you use the most?
▪▪▪ What was your best subject in school?
▪▪▪ What song do you play the most on your iPod?
▪▪▪ What is the one physical feature that you get complimented on most often?
▪▪▪ What is your favorite book?
▪▪▪ How do you manage stress?
▪▪▪ What is your favorite sundae topping?
▪▪▪ How superstitious are you?
▪▪▪ What football team do you support?
▪▪▪ Do you think people talk about you behind your back?
“Things are not always what they seem; the first appearance deceives many; the intelligence of a few perceives what has been carefully hidden.”
― Phaedrus
► Going Personal ◄
Being a little careful before asking such questions is what I would suggest you to do. Get to know her/him a little better, spend some comfortable time together and after you have gauged how easy-going the person is, you can safely go personal. Here too, know your limit. Do not go overboard and say something that would make you regret later.
▪▪▪ What’s your longest relationship?
▪▪▪ How big is your ego? What all can you give up for it?
▪▪▪ What do you like the least about a person of the opposite sex?
▪▪▪ Do you want to get married?
▪▪▪ What is your biggest regret in life?
▪▪▪ Are you a good liar?
▪▪▪ Are you religious?
▪▪▪ Do you get along with your parents?
▪▪▪ What would you name your autobiography?
▪▪▪ Do you like to sing in the shower?
▪▪▪ What is the worst relationship you have ever been in?
▪▪▪ What is the one food that you would never give up?
▪▪▪ What is your worst dating experience?
▪▪▪ What have been the most important decisions in your life?
► Loads to Think ◄
These are the ones that would make anyone think. If they think, they would talk; and their thoughts and expressions would tell you a lot about them. Thought-provoking questions also help you understand how mature and experienced a person is. Character traits also get revealed through such questions.
▪▪▪ Would you rather take the picture or be in the picture?
▪▪▪ If you had one word to describe yourself, what would it be?
▪▪▪ What’s the most unusual conversation you’ve ever had?
▪▪▪ What’s your favorite quote/saying?
▪▪▪ Are you proud of yourself?
▪▪▪ Do you prefer sunrises or sunsets?
▪▪▪ Are you reliable?
▪▪▪ What is your least favorite word?
▪▪▪ Have you ever taken responsibility for someone else’s mistake? What was it for?
▪▪▪ What’s the strangest talent you have?
▪▪▪ Which shoe do you put on first, left or right?
▪▪▪ What adjectives best describe you?
▪▪▪ What’s your first reaction when faced with a crisis?
▪▪▪ Has anyone told you his/her deepest secret? Have you kept it well?
► Happy Memories ◄
You really want her to get comfortable with you? Go ahead, ask her about her favorite toy or her best vacation ever. Ask her about her school, her childhood days and her favorite flavor of ice-cream. Everyone loves to relieve preserved memories once in a while and such questions mostly get people talking. However, make it a point that you do not remind her of some sad incident; you would definitely not want your date to go home onion-eyed.
▪▪▪ What is your favorite midnight snack?
▪▪▪ When was the most peaceful day you have had?
▪▪▪ What is the last thing you took a picture of?
▪▪▪ What did you want to be when you grew up?
▪▪▪ As a kid, were you ever frighted of a monster under the bed or in the cupboard?
▪▪▪ What is your all time funniest prank?
▪▪▪ What has been your worst haircut/style?
▪▪▪ What is the funniest thing that has ever happened to you?
▪▪▪ What was the thing you mostly got grounded for?
▪▪▪ Has anyone written a poem/song about you?
▪▪▪ How did falling in love for the first time feel like?
▪▪▪ Which was your most adventurous trip? What all did you do?
▪▪▪ Who have been your closest friends in life?
▪▪▪ Do you have a cherished childhood toy?
These random questions can help you get acquainted with people you do not know and understand them better. However, make sure it does not look like you are interviewing him/her. Also, see to it that it does not become boring and one-sided. Speak about yourself as well, to make the person comfortable. This would help the conversation flow and might also be the key to the start of a new relationship.
