Questions to ask on a first date

One of the objectives on a first date is to find out important things about the other person to know whether they are compatible, or at least worthy of a second date.  It is important to learn more about your date without making it seem like an interview or interrogation.  Try to avoid questions or topics that may be too personal, negative or awkward.  The ideal scenario would be to carry the conversation in a relaxed, flowing manner with questions that will foster positive discussion, happy thoughts, and smiles/laughter as you learn more about your date.  (Of course, some questions may lead to negative or awkward answers).  Warning: Be prepared to answer the same questions you ask.  

Here are some questions (some I found online) that may be worthy to ask on a first date:

1.  What do you like to do on weekends?  This allows you to see how they spend their free time, which tells you about their interests/passions, friends, lifestyle, etc.

2.  What are you passionate about?  Why?  Passions and interests are different.  Passions tell us about our values.  Interests are more like hobbies.

3.  What are your goals/dreams?  This tells you whether the person has ambition.  Goals may be short-term and focused.  Dreams are long-term and grander.

4.  Where did you grow up?  How is your family like?  Our childhood can play a role in our emotional health and values as an adult.  If a person had a bad childhood, it is important to see whether they learned from it.

Little House on the Prairie

5.  What is your favorite childhood memory?  This is a light question that gives insight into their childhood and may reveal a good story.

6.  Where do you consider home?  Home may not be where your date currently lives.  It may be where your date grew up, a location close to where their family lives now, a place which may help further their career, or a location where they feel they will be happier in general.

7.  Who are the most important people in your life?  Who do you go to for advice?  This lets you see their ability to form close relationships, their value system, and who they trust.

8.  What are you looking for in a relationship?  This may be straightforward but it will reveal whether you two are looking for something similar.

9.  What things can you not live without?  This tells you about what is important to them, their interests/values, etc.

10. What makes you laugh the most?  People have different senses of humor.

11. What is the best meal you have had?  This fosters a more fun conversation than "What is your favorite cuisine."

12. How was your day?  Simple, lets your date know you care, and can reveal a lot.

This seems like a fun job

13. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be?  Why?
This tells you what they enjoy.

14. What was the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you?
Be prepared to hear a good story.

15. What is the most private thing you are willing to admit?
Another good conversation coming up, but be prepared if they reveal something weird.

16. Tell me a random fact about you.
This will make for good conversation (hopefully) while learning about your date.

17. What is the hardest (or scariest) thing you had to do?  This tells you what your date defines as hard or scary, and how they deal with obstacles.  This may be a little touchy so perhaps it can be saved for the second or third date.

18.  What accomplishment are you most proud of?  This tells you something positive about your date and what they value.

19.  If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?  This allows you to see whether they have the insight and humility to know and acknowledge their faults, as well as the willingness and ways to improve themselves.

20.  Tell me about a recent adventure or spontaneous thing you have done.  Another fun story coming up...

For other suggestions on first dates, please refer to my post Advice for first dates and The first date kiss.