360 Questions to Ask Someone You Just Met

Meeting new people can be exciting but also a little nerve-wracking. What do you talk about? How do you break the ice? Well, questions are a great way to get to know someone and kick-start a fun conversation.

From discovering their favorite food to diving into their dreams for the future, asking questions can turn awkward silence into a great chat. So, let’s dive in and let the fun conversations begin!

For Breaking The Ice And Networking

Conversation Starter Questions

Hey, how’s your day going so far?
What brought you here today?
Do you come to this place often?
How’s your day going so far?
Are you from around here?
What do you do for a living?
Do you have any fun plans for the rest of the week?
Have you tried the food here? Any recommendations?
What’s something you could talk about for hours?

About Their Job

What do you do for work?
How did you get into your line of work?
Do you enjoy your job?
What’s a typical day like for you at work?
Have you always wanted to do this job?
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
What’s the most rewarding part of your job?
Do you work with a team or mostly on your own?
Do you have to travel for work?
What’s the latest project you’re working on?
Have you ever had a really tough boss?
What’s the first job you ever had?
Are you part of any work groups or committees?
Do you have to wear a uniform or dress code?
What’s your dream job?
Do you work long hours or have a flexible schedule?
What’s one skill you’ve learned in your career that’s useful elsewhere?
What’s the coolest thing about your job?
Have you met anyone famous through your job?
Do you work more with people or machines?
How do you handle stress at work?
What’s a funny story you have from work?
Have you ever had to move for work?
Do you work more from the office or from home?
What’s a job you’d never want to have?
Do you have to deal with customers or clients a lot?
Do you have a mentor at work?
What’s your favorite part of the workday?
Do you have a best friend at work?
Have you ever had a side job or gig?
What’s the farthest you’ve traveled for work?
Is your job more creative or analytical?
Do you work on weekends or have a Monday-to-Friday job?
Have you ever turned a hobby into a job?
Have you ever been self-employed?
How do you handle work-life balance?
Have you ever worked a holiday job?
What’s the best perk your job offers?
How do you stay motivated in your job?
Have you ever mentored someone in your field?
Do you like to take the lead on projects or support from behind the scenes?
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?

Funny Questions to Ask

If you were a fruit, what fruit would you be?
Do you believe in aliens?
What’s the silliest fear you have?
If you could have any superpower but only one, what would it be?
Have you ever had a nickname you hated?
What’s the weirdest food combo you’ve ever tried and liked?
What would it be if you had to pick a theme song for your life?
What’s your go-to dance move?
What TV show character do you relate to the most?
What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever Googled?
If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Do you sing in the shower?
What’s the worst hairstyle you’ve ever had?
Would you rather fight one horse-sized duck or a hundred duck-sized horses?
Have you ever had a really funny cooking fail?
Do you have a favorite joke?
What’s the last funny video you watched?
What’s the most useless talent you have?
If you could swap lives with a cartoon character, who would it be?
What’s your zombie apocalypse plan?
Are you a morning person or a “don’t talk to me until I’ve had coffee” person?
What’s the most ridiculous fact you know?
What’s the most awkward situation you’ve ever been in?
Have you ever sent a text to the wrong person that made things super awkward?
What’s the funniest WiFi name you’ve ever seen?
What’s your most hilarious gym or exercise story?
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done on a dare?
What’s the worst piece of advice you’ve ever gotten?
What’s the weirdest smell you like?
What’s your favorite cheesy pick-up line?
Have you ever had a “brain fart” moment in public?
What’s the strangest dream you’ve ever had?
What’s a funny habit you have?
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve found in your food?
What’s the most bizarre talent show act you’ve ever seen?
What’s the funniest autocorrect fail you’ve had?
What’s the silliest thing you get super competitive about?
If you were a superhero, what would your hero name be?
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done when you were bored?
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done on a bet?
Have you ever laughed at a terrible time?
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
What’s the most awkward gift you’ve ever received?
What word would you choose if you could only speak one word for an entire day?
What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve ever done on a date?
Have you ever accidentally walked into the wrong bathroom?
What’s the most useless fact you know?
What’s your “I can’t believe I did that” moment?

For Making Connections And Friendships

About Their Personal Interests

What’s your favorite hobby?
Do you like to cook?
What kind of music do you listen to?
Are you into sports?
What’s your favorite TV show?
Do you like to read?
What’s a good book you’ve read lately?
What’s your favorite movie?
Do you play video games?
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
What’s your favorite way to relax?
Do you like to travel?
Are you into photography?
Do you enjoy outdoor activities like hiking or camping?
Do you like pets? Do you have any?
Are you a foodie?
What’s your favorite cuisine?
Do you have a favorite restaurant?
Do you like to dance?
What’s your favorite season and why?
Do you like to paint or draw?
Do you play any instruments?
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Do you enjoy going to concerts or live events?
What kind of podcasts do you listen to?
Do you have any favorite YouTube channels?
What’s your favorite type of exercise?
Do you like board games or card games?
Do you enjoy doing puzzles or brain teasers?
Are you into fashion?
What’s your favorite social media app?
Do you enjoy gardening?
Do you like to swim?
Are you into astrology?
Do you collect anything?
What’s your favorite holiday?
Do you enjoy cooking or baking more?
Do you like fishing?
Do you enjoy watching documentaries?
What’s your favorite kind of coffee or tea?
Do you like rollercoasters?
Do you enjoy DIY projects?
What’s your favorite cocktail or non-alcoholic drink?
Do you like to write or journal?
Are you a fan of any sports teams?
What’s a place you’ve always wanted to visit?
Do you like watching theater plays or musicals?
Do you enjoy stargazing?
What’s your favorite snack?
Do you like to bike?
Are you into any extreme sports?
Do you have a favorite quote or saying?

About Food And Drink Preferences

Do you like spicy food?
What’s your favorite dessert?
Are you a vegetarian or vegan?
Do you like sushi?
Do you cook at home often?
What’s your favorite comfort food?
Do you prefer tea or coffee?
Do you like fast food?
What’s your favorite type of bread?
Do you have any food allergies?
What’s your go-to breakfast?
Do you like seafood?
Do you prefer sweet or salty snacks?
What’s your favorite fruit?
Do you like to grill?
Are you into organic food?
What’s your favorite pizza topping?
Do you like to try international cuisines?
Do you have a favorite type of candy?
Do you like to bake?
What’s your favorite kind of cheese?
Do you like to drink smoothies?
Do you enjoy wine or beer more?
What’s your go-to late-night snack?
What’s your favorite holiday food?
Do you like to meal prep?
Are you good at making cocktails?
What’s a dish you wish you knew how to make?
Do you have any dietary restrictions?
What’s your favorite milkshake flavor?
Do you like to eat out for brunch?
Do you like pickles?
What’s a food you just can’t stand?
Do you enjoy farmers markets?
What’s the last new food you tried and liked?
Do you have a favorite restaurant?
What’s your go-to drink at a coffee shop?
Do you prefer white, milk, or dark chocolate?
Do you like your drinks with or without ice?
What’s your favorite type of cake?
Do you enjoy cooking with others?
What’s your favorite thing to grill?
Are you into craft beers?
Do you have a favorite food truck?
What’s your favorite type of pasta?
Do you like sweet breakfasts or savory ones?
Have you ever tried making your own bread?
What’s your favorite dish to cook for others?
What’s the best dish you’ve ever eaten?
Do you have a signature dish or cocktail you make?
Do you like avocados?
Do you prefer tap water, bottled water, or filtered water?
What’s your favorite type of tea?
Do you prefer thin or thick-crust pizza?
What’s your go-to summer drink?

For Dating And Romantic Interests

About Goals And Dreams

What motivates you the most?
Do you have any role models?
What’s a skill you want to learn?
Do you have a bucket list?
What’s a personal habit you’re trying to improve?
What’s your dream travel destination?
Are you saving up for something special?
What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try?

About Their Family

Are you close to your family?
Who in your family are you most like?
Who is the funniest person in your family?
Do you have any siblings? Are you the oldest, youngest, or in the middle?
Do you have any family outings or trips that you loved?
How often do you see or talk to your family?
Do you have a family member who has influenced you a lot?
Is anyone in your family in a career similar to yours?
Did you grow up with extended family nearby?
Do you have any twin siblings or twins in the family?
What’s a movie that your whole family loves?
Who’s the most adventurous person in your family?
Does your family like to play games together?
What was the last family event you went to?
Are there any artists or musicians in your family?
Does your family have any pets?

For Deeper Conversations

About Travel

Have you ever been overseas?
What’s the most beautiful place you’ve visited?
Do you prefer beaches or mountains?
Have you ever been on a road trip?
Do you like to fly?
What’s the longest flight you’ve ever taken?
Do you have a favorite travel buddy?
Do you prefer luxury hotels or cozy bed-and-breakfasts?
Have you ever been to a theme park?
Do you like camping?
Have you ever traveled alone?
Do you like to travel light or pack everything?
What’s the best food you’ve tried while traveling?
Do you like to visit museums when you travel?
Have you ever lost your luggage?
Do you collect souvenirs from your trips?
What’s the next place on your travel bucket list?
Have you ever been on a cruise?
How many countries have you visited?
Do you like to take lots of photos when you travel?
What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done while traveling?
Have you ever met someone special while traveling?
What’s the most remote place you’ve been to?
Have you ever used Airbnb?
Do you like to plan your trips or be spontaneous?
What’s the weirdest travel experience you’ve had?
Do you have any travel hacks or tips?
Have you ever missed a flight?
Do you like to try local food when you travel?
Have you ever had a staycation?
What’s your favorite form of travel: car, plane, train, or boat?
Have you ever visited a famous landmark?
Do you have a go-to travel app?
What’s the best travel advice you’ve ever received?

About Their Background And Hometown

Where are you from?
What’s your hometown like?
Did you grow up in the city or the countryside?
Do you have any siblings?
What do your parents do?
Did you enjoy school when you were growing up?
What was your favorite subject in school?
Did you play any sports in school?
Do you have a large family?
What was your first job?
Have you ever lived in another country?
Did you have a childhood nickname?
Do you speak any other languages?
What’s your cultural background?
What were you like as a kid?
Did you have a favorite toy growing up?
What was the first concert you ever went to?
What kinds of chores did you have to do as a kid?
Have you always lived in this area?
What’s a popular hangout spot in your hometown?
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Did you have any funny family pets?
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Were you named after someone in your family?
Did you ever have a treehouse or a secret hideout?
What kind of weather are you used to?
How do you usually celebrate the holidays?
Do you know your neighbors well in your hometown?
Did you ever have a part-time job in high school?
What’s a skill you learned from your family?

About Their Education

What school did you go to?
Did you like going to school?
What did you study?
What was your major?
Did you go to a public or private school?
Have you ever studied abroad?
What was your favorite class ever?
Did you like your teachers?
Who was your favorite teacher, and why?
What was your least favorite subject?
Did you go to prom?
Were you part of any clubs or organizations?
Did you ever win a scholarship?
Did you have a lot of homework?
Did you live on campus?
What was your go-to study snack?
Have you taken any online courses?
Did you ever pull an all-nighter?
Did you go straight to college after high school?
What was your first day of college like?
Did you have a high school or college sweetheart?
Did you graduate with honors?
Have you ever had to retake a class?
Did you have roommates?
Did you participate in any internships?
Were you a good student?
Did you ever join a fraternity or sorority?
Did you walk at graduation?
What do you wish you had known before starting college?
What’s the most important thing you learned in school?
Did you play any intramural sports?
Do you have a favorite spot on campus?
Did you work part-time while studying?
Did you ever change your major?
How did you pick your field of study?
What was your thesis or final project about?
Are you thinking about going back to school?

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to start a conversation?

The best way to start a conversation depends on the situation. Here are some general tips:

Common ground: Look for something you both share, like the event you’re at or the place you’re in.
Be friendly: A smile goes a long way.
Open-ended questions: Use questions that can’t be answered with just “yes” or “no.”

How can body language help in a conversation with a new person

Body language is a powerful tool when communicating. Positive body language, such as smiling, maintaining eye contact, and subtly leaning in can indicate your attention and interest in the conversation.

Avoid crossing your arms, constantly checking your phone, or appearing distracted, as these can signal disinterest.

How can I keep the conversation flowing?

Keeping a conversation flowing is an art, but it gets easier with practice. Here’s how:

Listen actively: Really pay attention to what the other person is saying.
Ask follow-up questions: This shows you’re interested and keeps the conversation going.
Share about yourself: This doesn’t mean you should dominate the conversation but do offer pieces of information about yourself so it’s a two-way street.

What should you do if the conversation with someone new goes wrong?

If your conversation takes an unfortunate turn, it’s always best to apologize and clarify your intention. You might need to change the subject quickly if it’s due to a controversial topic. Clearly stating that you didn’t mean to offend can help alleviate the tension.

Conclusion

Next time you meet someone new, you won’t be stuck for what to say. Whether it’s a casual meet-up or the start of a beautiful friendship, these questions are your secret weapon for making any conversation exciting and fun. Go ahead, ask away, and enjoy getting to know someone better!