Five First Date Questions To Ask

You’ve ordered dinner and wish the waiter would bring a side order of good conversation because an awkward silence has settled over the table. You’ve already meandered through common first-date banter (Do you have siblings? Where do you like to hang out?) and now have hit a slump. What you need is to shake the conversation up with some unique questions instead of the regular lackluster ones that get served on first dates. This way you’ll keep her intrigued while you get your hands on important information about her. Keep the conversation light but meaningful, and let it flow in a natural way. Often, a question will branch out into others, so here are five first date questions to have up your sleeve.

Are you going to try the snails with me?

You’re both perusing the menu when she settles on a pasta dish. Sneakily, you ask her if she’d be keen to try something different instead. This is more than just wanting her to enjoy what is, in your opinion, a delicacy; you’re being introduced to her sense of openness. Is she willing to try new things or does she insist that snails look disgusting? Of course, if she has an allergy to the food you’re suggesting, that’s a totally different situation. Generally, though, asking her to try something new with you will show you how she deals with it and if she’s flexible. Not to mention that if she’s an experimental gal it could pay off at a later stage.

What would you do right now if you had a million bucks?

You can ask her about her hobbies, or you could throw her this question and see how she catches it. What she would do if she landed in big money overnight is probably something she has let her imagination toy with before (as have most of us), so it will give you a glimpse into her interests and priorities, but also spontaneity levels. The benefit of this first date question is that it comes across as fun, thus putting her at ease while giving you some insight into what she’s all about.

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

Just how risky is this hot tamale? This subject not only makes for some interesting anecdotes, but it helps you gauge her adventurous side and what risk levels she is comfortable with. Look into the future: If you start dating and invite her to go bungee jumping or mountain climbing, will you be sharing that adrenaline or will she be sitting on the sidelines bored? Explore her sense of adventure and see if your fun thresholds are on the same page.

What’s the one city you’d move to in an instant?

Is she the type of girl who’d want to move somewhere fast-paced or does she want peace and quiet, opting for farm life in the middle of nowhere? Her choice can reveal a lot about her likes and dislikes, but it also tells you where she’s at in this phase of her life. This first date question will allow you to find out if she would be daring enough to relocate to a new city without hesitation, or if stability is more of a priority.

What’s it like being a… (insert her profession here)

Sooner or later the conversation trickles onto the topic of jobs. People spend huge chunks of their time at work so they generally have much to say on the subject. Find out what she feels about her career. Is she only in it for the paycheck, or does she have a passion for it? This conversation doesn’t have to be boring, focusing on the office politics she has been wrestling with or all the so-called interesting stories about her bad boss. If it hits such a dead-end, the question can lead into talking about her ambitions, which is often much better ear fodder. You’ll gain some knowledge about where she’s headed in life and how she intends to get there. Lend a golden ear to show your interest and pay attention for yourself too. You have plans of your own to succeed at, so finding out hers can show just how compatible you are and if your paths are heading in similar directions.

MAKE THE RIGHT IMPRESSION

You’ve kept her intrigued with your interesting first date questions and are now in a better position to decide if this first encounter could possibly lead to a romantic sequel. But talking is only half of it -- also take note of her body language as this reveals unsaid bits about her personality. It’s often the inside scoop on what she’s really thinking but doesn’t realize it’s displayed for you to see. By the end of the night, with this approach, you’ll know if you’re going to invite her out again -- or if the only person you want to call is the waiter so you can settle the bill and make a speedy exit.