10 Best Topics to Talk About on a First Date That Actually Work

First dates can be very tricky and nerve-racking. You find yourself talking to a stranger you don't know much about and want to impress.

And you're constantly trying to gauge the atmosphere to determine your level of compatibility with this person.

There's the possibility of meeting someone you'll kick it off with right away. It's also possible that you'll be sitting across someone who shares nothing in common with you.

If things get stale or you run into a dead end, going in with talking points is one way to always have things to talk about.

In this article, we discuss a few ideas to help keep interesting conversations flowing on a first date and hopefully see you get a second date.

So, butterflies or cricket, let's find out.

6 Things to Talk About on a First Date

Any relationship expert would agree that starting from the basics on a first date is an excellent idea. While you might not have the juiciest things to discuss, you still have to start somewhere.

Once you know a little information about your date, you may find out you overlap in areas like education or religion, which is a great place to build rapport.

With time, you'll be able to avoid those awkward lulls and steer the conversation into more engaging places.

The following are exciting things to discuss on a first date and how to go about it.

1. Icebreaker Questions

Here are some fun things and date conversation starters to talk about on the first date that can get the conversation rolling: 

What have you been up to this week?

What does your work day look like?

What was your favorite cartoon or TV show growing up?

Are you an early bird or a night owl?

What's the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?

What's your comfort food or guilty pleasure snack?

If you could time travel to any era, past or future, where would you go and why?

What's the most unusual or interesting dream job you've ever had or wanted to have?

2. Shared Interests and Hobbies

Discussing your favorite things is another go-to conversation starter, as it creates endless possibilities for you to touch on many diverse topics.

Plenty of topics to discuss, from TV shows to books, artists, music genres, hobbies, and pet choice (a dog or cat person).

By opening up about your genuine interest, you meaningfully open new levels of connection. You'll learn about their preferences and also teach them more about you in the process.

Discuss what's trending and binge-worthy or hot, and if you enjoy playing the piano or the guitar or are an avid football fan, tell them what makes the experience enjoyable for you.

It's in having these exciting and honest discussions that sparks start flying around.

Think about these follow up questions when sharing your hobbies and interests: 

• “What's your favorite thing to do on a weekend or a day off of work?”
• “I just finished (X) and can't get enough of it. Have you watched anything good lately that you'd recommend?”
• “I recently started doing (X) and enjoy it. Do you have any unique hobbies?”

3. Travel and Adventure

Telling your date how you went on a recent trip to Greece and had a good time won't cut it. Have a small talk about what made the trip so memorable. Tell them about the antique store you entered with rows of ancient treasures and artifacts.

Say something about walking on a beach when you were in Hawaii and its beautiful scenery, history, and scenic drive with waterfalls. Ask about the places they've been to and watch them open up to you about their adventures and passions.

Talking about vacations and favorite travel spots helps people connect more personally, especially when you find out you've been to the same places.

Here are some rapid fire questions you can use to kick-start a conversation on travel and adventures:

• “What's your most memorable travel experience?”
• “What's your bucket list travel destination (or destinations)?”
• “What's one place you've been to that has left a mark on you?”
• “Where's the most interesting place you've been to?”
• “If you could live in a foreign city for a year, where would it be, and what would you do there?”
• “What's the most exotic or unusual dish you've ever tried while traveling?”

4. Future Goals and Aspirations

After breaking the ice, and there's already some excitement going on, it might be good to follow up the conversation with a discussion about future goals and aspirations.

It's an opportunity to peek into each person's character and values. When someone lets you in on their dreams, it helps you understand their state of mind and why those aspirations matter to them.

Discussing future goals with your date will give you insights into their level of ambition and determination, which is a good compatibility measure.

Here are examples of questions that can help explore each of your ambitions.

• “What are the short-term and long-term goals you have in mind, and how do you plan to achieve them?”
• “If there are no limitations to what you could achieve, what career path would you choose and why?”
• “Where do you see yourself in the next 5 to 10 years?”
• “What's something you've always wanted to try but haven't had the chance to yet?

5. Childhood Memories

Childhood memories have a special place in people's hearts. Opening up about them can be a heartwarming and nostalgic experience that deepens the connection between you and your date.

Sharing a favorite childhood memory can also provide insights into the foundations of a character and make you understand each other's core values.

Here are some questions that can help you explore fond memories, such as each other's favorite childhood games or memorable cross country road trip with family members:

• “Did you have an all-time favorite childhood game or always enjoyed a bit of everything?”
• “If you could go back in time, what's one thing you'd change about your childhood?”
• “Did you prefer staying indoors during childhood, or were you more of an outdoor explorer?”

6. Current Events and Pop Culture

There's something about discussing current events and pop culture that fosters connection on another level.

Apart from showing your ability to converse on contemporary topics, it creates a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.

Talking about a new TV show, a trending news story, or the latest blockbuster film allows for a shared experience that makes the date flow naturally. 

It also lets your personality shine through when you express your opinions about the subject at hand.

You can talk about current events like Climate Change, AI and its effect on jobs, geopolitical Issues, space travel, etc.

Talking about movies and anticipated releases, reality TV, Oscar nominations, and popular TV shows like “The Crown,” “Game of Thrones,” and “Stranger Things” are also good ways to enjoy a shared experience.

Explore how to keep a Tinder conversation going or flirty questions to ask on Tinder for ideas on keeping a conversation captivating.

Conclusion

When on a first date, look out for non-verbal cues and pay attention to your date's body language. Know when to call it if the chemistry isn't there. 

No matter how great your questions are, things might feel awkward to the point of confusion.

Try asking more open-ended questions, and if you're not feeling each other still, you could subtly put things to an end.

The goal is to get to know each other and have fun while at it. And if the date is going well, you could drop subtle hints about seeing each other soon again.

Above all, be respectful and handle first date conversations with grace. It's not a knowledge show-off or an interview. 

Steer clear of controversial or potentially divisive ideas and focus on topics that spark curiosity.

Learn how to respond hey on Tinder and set things in motions for a first date.