A man and a woman deep in conversation.
Wellness Hive

Beyond the Weather: spark the chat with these conversation starter questions

   Let’s face it, getting a conversation started can be difficult. Whether it’s with someone you just met or your partner for 30-plus years. It just seems like there is nothing to talk about except the bad news that is all around us lately, politics, or the dreaded weather conversation. Once the weather comes up you know you need a change.

   I’ve compiled a list of thought provoking questions and topics to start a conversation. Some are just for fun, and some are very serious. Most are somewhere in between.  Some are for couples just getting to know each other and some are for the seasoned twosome.

   You can make a game out of these questions by asking one and both of you have to answer. Set a timer if you’d like to give each other enough time. A notepad may come in handy to ask follow up questions.

   Remember, these questions are supposed to be thought provoking conversation starters. Please don’t let them cause any arguments or fights. That’s certainly not my intention.

   Have fun. And this is just the beginning. Let these questions lead you to others. Even if you think you know everything there is to know about someone you may be very surprised.

   I’ve tried my best to put them into categories. I’ve also kept this list clean. I could have gone the other way, but maybe I’ll make a naughty list on another site someday. Pick and choose the questions you think are good and have fun!

SCHOOL DAYS

An image of an old fashioned school house.

  • Who was the worst and best teacher you’ve ever had and why?
  • What is your best and worst memory from your time in school?
  • Did you ever get in a fight at school?
  • Did you ever get detention or have to stay after because you were in trouble?
  • Did you ever fail a grade?
  • What do you regret the most about your time in school?
  • What was your favorite and least favorite subject in school?
  • What was the funniest thing you ever saw or experienced in school?

CHILDHOOD

A drawing of three little kids. They look very happy and are waving.

  • What’s your earliest memory?
  • What was your first nickname?
  • What was your favorite book as a kid?
  • Did your neighborhood have an ice cream man?
  • What did you want to be when you were little?
  • What was your favorite childhood toy?
  • Did you sleep with a Teddy Bear or stuffed animal?
  • What was your favorite TV show and movie as a kid?
  • What posters did you have on your wall as a teenager?
  • What was the first album/tape/CD/digital you bought?
  • What was your bedroom like as a kid?
  • Who was your first celebrity crush?
  • What gave you the most joy when you were young?
  • Were you ever in a pillow fight? Did the pillows break open like they do on TV and movies?
  • How did your family resolve conflicts when you were growing up?

FAVORITES

An outlined heart with a smiley face and big eyes looking to it's left.

  • What’s your favorite flower?
  • What’s your favorite video game?
  • What’s your favorite board game?
  • What’s your favorite movie?
  • What’s your favorite TV show?
  • What’s your favorite book?
  • What’s your favorite song or song lyric?
  • What’s your favorite animal?
  • What is your favorite cartoon character and why? How are you similar to them?
  • What’s your favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner?
  • What’s your favorite sandwich?
  • What’s your favorite snack?
  • What’s your favorite dessert?
  • What’s your favorite drink?
  • What is your favorite hobby and what one would you like to take up?
  • What’s your favorite and least favorite type of weather?
  • What’s your favorite thing that we’ve bought together?
  • Out of all the places you’ve been, what’s your favorite?
  • Where is your favorite place to go for a walk?
  • What’s your favorite piece of advice you’ve ever received?
  • What is your favorite personality trait of yours and mine?
  • What’s your favorite love story?

WORK

A dog wearing glasses and a tie sitting at a desk working.

  • What was your first job?
  • What’s one of your best and worst work moments?
  • If you had to change your career, what would you do?
  • What is your dream job?
  • Did you ever have to tattle on someone or turn someone in at work?
  • Have you had to keep secrets for co-workers?
  • Is the job you have now the one you want to retire from?
  • What does your/our ideal retirement look like to you?

PLAY

Image of a dog playing a board game at the kitchen table.

  • Do you prefer the beach, forest, city or farm?
  • Describe your perfect day.
  • How do you like to relax?
  • What would you name a boat?
  • Would you rather skydive or bungee jump?
  • What would you like for your first or next tattoo (if relevant)?
  • Describe your dream vacation.
  • What language would you like to learn?
  • What do you want to learn more about?
  • Would you rather speak every language or speak to and understand animals?
  • What would you write a book about?
  • What’s one of your guilty pleasures?
  • What’s something you think is fun that most people think is boring?

HOME LIFE

A cartoon house with legs and arms and cute face smiling.

  • What’s your favorite spot at home?
  • Assuming everyone is safe, what three possessions would you save in a fire?
  • What’s your dream house?
  • What’s your least and most favorite chore?
  • What do you want to change about the house?
  • Do you consider yourself a handy person?
  • What type of home improvement would you like to perfect?

FAMILY

A family of racoons sitting around the lliving room. The TV is on and the kids are playing on the floor.

  • Do you have a least favorite relative?
  • Most favorite?
  • How many children would you want if money was no object?
  • Do you think your place in the birth order impacted you?
  • How are you similar / different to your dad / mom (or father/mother figure)?
  • What do you want to do differently than your parents?
  • What are the best and worst things about being a parent (if applicable)?
  • What are some of your favorite traditions?
  • What traditions would you like us to start?
  • What’s our family motto?

ENTERTAINMENT and FUN

A cartoon of a banana that slipped. It has a face, arms and legs. And a big smile

  • Which celebrity do you find annoying?
  • What movie or show could you watch over and over again?
  • When was the last time you laughed uncontrollably and what caused it?
  • How do you feel about pranks and practical jokes?
  • What was the funniest one you have played and what ones have been played on you?
  • Can you think of anything that would make our life more fun?
  • Is there a song stuck in your head right now?
  • Where do you want to travel next?
  • What’s a funny story that makes you laugh every time you hear or tell it?

SPIRITUALITY and THE EVER AFTER

  • Do you believe in spirits?
  • Do you believe in heaven and hell? Angels/devil?
  • If you could be any other religion other than what you are, what would it be?
  • What’s the meaning of life?
  • Is there anything you think you need to give up, say no to, or let go of to be more spiritual?
  • Do you think your zodiac sign traits are accurate?
  • Do you believe in fortune telling and psychics?
  • Do you believe in numerology?
  • If you could know the date and circumstances of your death, would you find out?
  • What do you want your final words to be?
  • How do you want to be remembered?
  • What do you want your funeral to be like?
  • Burial or cremation?
  • What are your thoughts on the afterlife?

LIFE and EMOTIONS

Comedy and Tragedy masks.

  • What was your worst relationship?
  • What’s your greatest fear?
  • What boundaries are important to you?
  • When did you know you were in love with me?
  • How is our relationship similar and different from your parent’s relationship?
  • Do you love yourself?
  • What do you need to forgive yourself for?
  • Do you ever wish life had a rewind or a pause button?
  • What makes you angry?
  • What qualities do you admire in others?
  • What are the greatest strengths in our relationship?
  • What relationships do you admire?
  • What’s your least favorite emotion?
  • What’s your favorite feature of mine?
  • Describe our wedding day (if relevant)
  • What belongings of yours do you think I’d get rid of if I had the opportunity?
  • Name three things we have in common and three differences.
  • What’s the worst pain you’ve ever experienced?
  • What’s your proudest moment?
  • When are you most comfortable?
  • Give yourself a compliment
  • Describe yourself in three words.
  • Describe me in three words.
  • How do you describe me to other people?
  • Describe our relationship in three words.
  • When were you last jealous?
  • What song makes you think of me?
  • What do we argue about the most?
  • What do you wish I did differently during arguments?
  • What three things are you grateful for today?
  • Do you care what strangers think of you?
  • Do you care what people you know think of you?
  • When did you last cry?
  • What’s your biggest regret?
  • Who “wears the pants” in our relationship?
  • What would younger you think of your life now?
  • Is there anything you’ve always wanted to know about me?
  • Complete this statement: Thank you for…
  • Are you an optimist, pessimist or realist?
  • What are you really good at?
  • What was your bravest moment?
  • Who inspires you?
  • Complete this statement: I’m proud of you because…

FOOD

A slice of pizza with a face, arms and legs. Really cute.

  • What’s the best burger you’ve ever had?
  • Describe the contents of your ideal picnic basket
  • Do you have a favorite type of cuisine?
  • Do you prefer a side of salad or soup?
  • Dressing: On the salad or on the side?
  • Were you ever in a food fight?
  • What is the weirdest food you ever ate?
  • What is the weirdest pizza topping you have ever tried?
  • What food do you love that most people hate?
  • Do you like grocery shopping?
  • Do you like cooking?

GOALS and BUCKET LIST

A bucket with a smiley face. There is a paper scroll sticking out of it. This must be the "bucket list"

  • What would you like to buy next for the house?
  • What’s one of your short-term goals?
  • What’s your biggest dream for the future?
  • What do you think you need to focus on more?
  • Where do you see yourself in five/ten/twenty years?
  • If you could change one thing about your life today, what would it be?
  • What does a successful life look like to you?
  • What (semi-realistic) car would you love to buy next?
  • What do you dream of owning?
  • What’s the top 3 things on your bucket list?
  • What’s the strangest thing on your bucket list?

   Well, there you have it. Please feel free to contact me in the comment section or at dinneronceagain@gmail.com with any questions you would like me to add to this list. And, please let me know if you had fun with them conversation starters. I sure hope they didn’t provoke any arguments. I really do believe that keeping an open line of communication is vital to a healthy relationship.

Check out an article I wrote called 9 Relationship Questions (Every Couple Should Ask) It’s about 9 daily questions just for couples. Ask each other these 9 questions everyday and your relationship will stay healthy and strong.

Have a thought-provoking day!

If you like what you see, please share, like and comment. I really appreciate it! Thank You!

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