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277 Conversation Starters To Ask Anyone In Any Situation — From Funny To Deep
Author:
January 11, 2024
mbg Spirituality & Relationships Editor
Connecting with other people is one of life's most fundamental pleasures—but it takes more than small talk to help you get there.
Whether you're on a first date that's hitting a lull, you want to spark stimulating conversation at a friend's party, or you're trying to get to know someone on a deeper level, here are 277 conversation starters to choose from.
Conversation starters for any situation
- Do you have any siblings?
- What made you decide to move here? (If they're new to the city.)
- Dog person, cat person, or neither?
- How do you spend most of your time outside of work?
- What does your ideal day look like?
- What's the last thing you watched that made you laugh?
- Where is your favorite place to travel?
- Where have you been wanting to travel but haven't had the chance to visit?
- Do you believe in astrology?
- What is your Enneagram or Myers-Briggs type?
- What are your biggest pet peeves?
- What's your absolute favorite way to spend a weekend?
- Do you like celebrating your birthday, or do you dislike the attention?
- When is your birthday?
- What's your zodiac sign?
- What's the worst TV show you've watched recently?
- Who is your celebrity crush?
- Who was your very first celebrity crush?
- Who would you want to play you in a movie about your life?
- If you had to pick one of our friends to marry on the spot, who would you pick?
Conversation starters for meeting someone new
- How do you know the host?
- Where are you from?
- What are you passionate about?
- What do you value most in a friend?
- What consistently brings you joy?
- Is there a decision you're contemplating that would be helpful to talk through together?
- What's bringing you pleasure right now?
- What's something difficult you're working on?
- Where are you finding the most meaning in life?
- What do you imagine your legacy will be?
- How long do you think you'll be remembered?
- What do you feel has been the most important thing you've done in life so far?
- What lasting impact do you know you've made in the world?
- What's the most important quality a person can have?
- What does the world need more of?
- What does the world need less of?
- Do you think organized religion should have a bigger or smaller place in society going forward?
- What is the meaning of happiness?
- Do you place a bigger value on helping yourself, your family, or the world? How so?
- Do you feel like the world is changing for the better or changing for the worse? How so?
- Is there a motto or principle you live by?
- What from the past is worth preserving?
- In what ways has society changed during your lifetime? What do you think caused these changes?
- Is it better to be realistic or optimistic?
- Are you a city person or a country person?
- What element do you resonate most with: fire, water, earth, or air?
- What were you like as a child?
- What were you like as a teenager?
- What were you like in college, if you went?
- Are you a risk taker?
- Do you have a set morning or evening routine?
- Have you had any major turning points in your life so far?
- What's something you're proud of?
- Do you have any beliefs or values that have changed over the years?
- What role would you play in the group of people trying to survive a zombie apocalypse?
- Are you a good gift-giver?
- What's the best gift you've ever received?
- Where is the next place you'd like to travel?
- Have you ever done anything illegal?
- What do you want to do in retirement?
- What's your favorite part of your typical day?
- What does self-care look like for you?
- What's a question you wish more people asked you?
- What does your ideal day look like?
- What's something random that you're extremely into?
- What's your astrology sign, and do you think it's accurate?
- What's the most interesting thing you've read recently?
- What's your latest controversial hot take?
- Are you close with your family?
- Would you like to grab a coffee or go on a walk this week?
Conversation starters for a first date
- What are you excited about right now?
- Is there anything you're worried about?
- What's your best first date story?
- Could you date someone who doesn't vote?
- Are you concerned about climate change?
- Do you know anyone who has married someone they met on a dating app?
- Do you prefer that your date shares your political views?
- Do you answer work emails on the weekend?
- Is it important to you that your partner practices the same religion as you?
- How would you feel if your partner earned more money than you?
- Have you attended a protest march?
- Would you live with a partner before marriage?
- Are you open to being in a long-distance relationship?
- Would you prefer a group first date or one-on-one?
- Do you meditate?
- How often do you speak to your parents?
- Are you currently saving to buy your own home?
- Do you speak more than one language?
- Would you date someone who was in considerable debt?
- How important is religion/God in your life?
- Which word describes you better: carefree or intense?
- Could you date someone who was really messy?
- Do you enjoy discussing politics?
- Which would you rather be: normal or weird?
- Are you currently employed?
- Is astrological sign at all important in a match?
- Could you date someone who does drugs?
- Do you smoke?
- Choose the better romantic activity: kissing in Paris or kissing in a tent in the woods.
- Is jealousy healthy in a relationship?
- Which best describes your political beliefs: liberal/left, centrist, conservative/right, or other?
- Are you ready to settle down and get married right now?
- About how long do you want your next relationship to last?
- Do you like scary movies?
- Do you often find yourself worrying about the things you have no control over?
- Which of the following types of intelligence do you value most: logical/mathematical, social/interpersonal, or visual/artistic?
- Regardless of future plans, what's most interesting to you right now: sex or love?
- Do you like your job?
- How did you end up in your current line of work?
- What personal goals are you working toward right now?
- Do you enjoy dating?
- What are you looking for from dating right now?
- What do you look for in a partner?
- For you, what does it mean to be in a relationship?
- Why did your last relationship end?
- What's your love language?
- What are your relationship deal-breakers?
- What's a topic or hobby you're randomly passionate about?
- What do you prefer: texting or phone calls?
- What initially made you interested in me?
- What does it mean to be a good partner?
- Do you believe in the 5 love languages?
- What's the most romantic movie you've ever seen?
- Do you believe in love at first sight?
Conversation starters for couples
- Who's an older person in your life that you really look up to?
- What's the deepest desire of your heart?
- When is the last time you dreamed about your ex?
- When is the last time you cried, and why?
- Do you have any regrets in life or things you'd want to do over?
- Is there anything you consider unforgivable; if so what is it?
- Have you ever been in love? What was the person like?
- What's your relationship with your parents like?
- Have you ever hurt someone and deeply regretted it? Did you ever make amends?
- Would you live with a partner before marriage?
- Which best describes your political beliefs: liberal/left, centrist, conservative/right, or other?
- Do you enjoy discussing politics?
- What kind of conversations make you uncomfortable?
- Have I ever said or done anything that's offended you without realizing it?
- Why do you think you are the way you are in relationships?
- What does an ideal relationship look like to you?
- What do you think about the concept of marriage?
- What does commitment mean to you?
- What do you think you would be like as a mother?
- What scares you about becoming a parent?
- Do you feel like you've found your life purpose?
- What are the values you hold dearest to you?
- What's your relationship with your parents like?
- Do you want to be more like or less like your parents?
- Did you ever think you were in love and later realized you weren't?
- Tell me the story of your first love.
- If you could make money doing anything in the world, what would you do?
- What are five things you couldn't live without?
- What's one article of clothing you could never part with?
- Who's someone in your life that you really look up to?
- What's one of your most cherished memories?
- Have you ever hurt someone and deeply regretted it?
- Did you ever make amends?
- What's the meaning of life?
- What's your purpose in life?
- Do you believe in an afterlife?
- Do you like your life right now? If not, what's keeping you from changing it?
- What people have made you who you are today?
- What experiences have made you who you are today?
- When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself?
- Have you ever felt very strongly about something and then eventually changed your mind about it?
- What do you think is your best quality?
- What do you think is my best quality?
- What quality do you want to nurture more of in yourself?
- Do you have a good relationship with your body?
- Do you find it easier to give or to receive?
- What's one dish or meal that reminds you of home?
- Have you ever broken up with a friend?
- What makes you anxious?
- What does happiness mean to you?
- If you no longer had to work to live comfortably, what would you be doing with your life?
- What's one thing in your life that you're struggling with right now?
- What's one thing in your life that you're grateful for?
- How did you know you were in love with me?
- Is there anything about our relationship that feels totally unique to us?
- Where do you see our relationship going?
- What does marriage mean to you?
- How do you feel about big proposals?
- How do you think our relationship will change if we get married?
- What's a song that reminds you of our relationship?
Conversation starters for family
- How connected are you feeling to the world?
- What feels hard in your life right now?
- What excited you today?
- What are you feeling grateful for today?
- What was missing from your life this week?
- About what have you been proud of yourself for this week?
- What are you eager to feel more confident about in the next few weeks?
- What word would you use to describe our family?
- Do you identify with our family, or do you feel more like an outsider, and why?
- What family traditions do you carry on?
- Tell me about a time you did something you "weren't supposed to" but it was worth it.
- Tell me about a family member of ours who I never had the chance to meet.
- What are our strengths as a family?
- What is your favorite present you've ever received?
- What are our values as a family?
- Any traditions that you were happy to say goodbye to?
- What do you think our family will look like in 50 years?
- If you could wake up with any skill tomorrow, what would you choose?
- Do you identify as an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert?
- What's one thing the family probably doesn't know about you?
- What's one thing you wish you could tell your younger self?
- If you could do it all over, what career would you choose?
- What's one thing you like about yourself?
- What's one thing you like about me?
- What's one of your core values?
- Have your values changed at all from the past to what they are today?
- What's one thing that's been bringing you pleasure lately?
- Tell us about one of the happiest moments of your life.
- What's one thing you love about being in your (30s/40s/50s, etc.)?
Conversation starters for friends
- Who was your first crush, and where are they now?
- If you were a dog, what kind would you be?
- What's your favorite GIF?
- What is your go-to karaoke song?
- If you were a cereal, which one would you be and why?
- What's your favorite conspiracy theory?
- If you could have any other name, what would it be?
- What was your most embarrassing moment as a child that you can laugh about now?
- What's your funniest first-date story?
- What's the oddest recurring thought that you have?
- Who is your most questionable celebrity crush?
- What was your first email address?
- What's your go-to dance move, and can I see it?
- What's the most random or ridiculous piece of trivia you know, and how did you learn it?
- What qualities do you admire most in your parents?
- What's one of your most cherished memories?
- What's something you used to believe in that you don't anymore, and what changed?
- Are you a religious or spiritual person? If so, what does that mean to you? If not, why not?
- What is your favorite childhood memory?
- Do you often find yourself worrying about the things you have no control over?
- How do you calm yourself down when you're feeling stressed?
- How do you like to be comforted when you're sad?
- Do you believe in soul mates? If so, do you think you've met yours?
- Do you have a harsh inner critic?
- How can I be a better friend to you?
- What areas of your life would you like to grow in, and how can I help support that growth?
- Are you a city person or a country person?
- Do you think TikTok is net good or net bad for our culture?
- Who's a celebrity that you think is overrated?
- What element do you resonate most with: fire, water, earth, or air?
- What were you like as a child?
- What were you like as a teenager?
- What were you like in college, if you went?
- Are you a risk-taker?
- Do you have any routines that you stick to religiously?
- Have you had any major turning points in your life so far?
- What's one thing that's been bringing you pleasure lately?
- What's something you're proud of?
- Do you have any beliefs or values that have changed over the years?
- Do you think you've met your twin flame?
- What role would you play in the group of people trying to survive a zombie apocalypse?
- Are you a good gift-giver?
- What's the best gift you've ever received?
- Have you ever dated someone who was a really bad kisser?
- What's something you're weirdly into that none of us know about?
- What's your go-to karaoke song?
- What's one of your biggest pet peeves as of late?
- Do you believe in ghosts?
- Do you fart in front of romantic partners?
Conversation starters for networking
- What professional goals are you working toward right now?
- What's your favorite thing about your job?
- What's your least favorite thing about your job?
- How long have you been in this role?
- Do you prefer to work alone or in a group?
- How can I support your professional goals?
- What's exciting to you about your line of work?
- What would you change about your line of work?
- What was your first job?
- Do you like your teammates?
- What are your strongest skills?
- Do you think you're a good team player?
- Who is your role model in your career?
- What's the best thing you've learned through your job?
- Are you a leader at work, or do you prefer to let someone else take charge?