I love icebreaker style questions.
I'm not talking about the cheesy ones (though, TBH, I don't hate those either), but rather the types of questions that encourage people to share stories or feelings that might not otherwise come up organically in conversation.
I'm a real believer that everyone has a story to tell or an unexpected point of view to share.
So, in honor of that belief, here's a long list of juicy questions that are meant to spark conversation, evoke storytelling, and help you and the people you're with bond and learn about each other through curiosity.
1. What was your first impression of the people in this group?
2. What is something you think others admire about you?
3. What is the thing you and your partner (or a former partner) often fought about?
4. What is your favorite part of your body?
5. Have you ever lied to seem more interesting?
And if so, what was the lie?
6. What was the wildest thing you got away with as a child?
Or, what is the wildest thing you ever got caught doing as a child?
7. What quality of yours do you think potential romantic partners find most attractive?
8. If you were being set up on a blind date, how would you want to be described?
9. What was a time you surprised yourself?
10. If you could travel anywhere alone for two weeks, where would you go?
11. Which of your friends do you think will grow up to be the happiest?
12. What is your pet peeve that you think is relatively unique compared to other people's pet peeves?
13. Do you believe ex-partners can be friends?
14. What's a time you've lied to protect somebody's feelings?
15. Who was your first (non-celebrity) crush?
And do you know what they're doing or where they are today?
16. What's the best party you've ever attended?
What happened? Do you remember what you wore?
17. How would you describe your perfect partner in five words?
18. What is your hidden talent?
19. If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?
20. Is there a time you did something you wouldn't let your (hypothetical) kids do?
21. Which website(s) do you spend the most time on?
And what are you doing on them?
22. When was the first time you were in love?
23. Have you ever dated somebody and kept it a secret?
Or lied about it, in some capacity?
24. Have you ever been attracted to one of your friends?
Did you tell them?
25. How important is sex in a romantic relationship?
26. How have you changed since you were a kid?
27. Do you believe "blood is thicker than water"?
28. What are the qualities that make you a good friend?
29. What are the qualities that make you a bad friend?
30. In what ways are you different than your parents?
31. In what ways are you similar to your parents?
32. If you were in charge of a standardized high school curriculum, what subject would you remove, and what would you put in its place?
33. What quality is shared amongst your friends?
34. Which motivates you the most: love, money, fear, or power?
35. If you knew you had a 90% chance of surviving, would you play Russian Roulette if winning meant you would become a billionaire?
36. What is your most controversial political opinion?
37. If you could appear on any reality show (competition or otherwise), which would it be and why?
38. Have you ever had a run-in with the law?
39. How do you think dating will change in the future?
40. How do you flirt with people you're interested in?
41. Do you believe in giving people second chances after negative first impressions?
42. Do you think sex is appropriate to discuss with friends?
Why or why not?
43. Do you think money is appropriate to discuss with friends?
Why or why not?
44. Do you think politics are appropriate to discuss with friends?
Why or why not?
45. Do you think religion is appropriate to discuss with friends?
Why or why not?
46. How would your younger self feel about your current self?
47. Do you tend to be trusting or wary of strangers?
48. How do you think work will change in the future?
49. Do you think you've discovered your personal style?
And, if so, how would you describe it?
50. Are long-distance friends as important as the ones you see in person?
51. Who is the funniest person in the group?
52. Who is the smartest person in the group?
53. Who in the group has the highest EQ?
54. What are your thoughts on tipping?
55. If you could know in advance how you would die, would you want to know?
56. If you could know in advance when you would die, would you want to know?
57. Would you describe yourself as sensitive?
58. If you could go back in time and talk to your 12-year-old self for 15 minutes, what would you tell them?
59. How do you think your life will change in the next 10 years?
60. How do you think your life will stay the same in the next 10 years?
61. How has someone in the group changed since you've known them?
62. Do you like your birthday?
63. What is the best gift you've ever been given?
64. Would you describe yourself as "moody"?
65. In what ways are you different than your friends?
66. In what ways are you similar to your friends?
67. How would people have described you as a kid?
68. What is the most expensive thing you've ever purchased?
69. What piece of art (book, movie, TV show, painting, etc.) has had a significant impact on your life?
70. Have you ever experienced a natural disaster?
71. If you had to marry someone in the group, who would it be and why?
72. What's the most unexpected place you've ever had sex?
73. How important is alone time to you?
74. Which do you think is better: growing up in a big or small family?
75. If you could choose one trait to give your hypothetical child, what would it be?
76. What is the most fun way to spend $100?
77. Do you think your name fits your personality?
78. Who in this group would fare best in a crisis?
79. Who was your favorite teacher and what did you learn from them?
80. Do you think people would describe you as "annoying"?
81. What miscellaneous room would you put in your home if you could?
82. Do you feel like you were born in the wrong time?
83. Do you believe in reincarnation?
84. Have you ever used a fake social media account?
85. Has the internet made society happier or less happy?
86. Do you have any tattoos?
If you don't, what would you get if you were to get a tattoo? And if you do, what is the meaning behind them?
87. If you could wake up tomorrow and be magically talented at a specific art form, which would you pick?
88. Do you agree with the statement "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"?
89. What is your favorite holiday?
90. What isn't a holiday but should be?
91. Do you think it's possible that life is one giant simulation?
92. Not including yourself, who in this group has the most "main character energy"?
93. If you were a vegetable, which vegetable would you be and why?
94. Have you ever hitchhiked?
And if so, what happened?
95. How do you cheer yourself up when you're down?
96. What is something you're proud of yourself for?
97. Do you believe in karma?
98. Do you feel aligned with your astrological sign?
99. What is something you do today that you think the next generation will find super dated?
100. Would you consider yourself someone who is grateful?
101. Which of the seven deadly sins do you think you commit the most? For reference, they are pride, greed, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth.
102. Do you think you more embody the energy of a dog or a cat?
103. What is a trip you’ve taken that exceeded your expectations?
104. Who is a person that has been a role model for you?
105. What are you most excited about within the next year?
Okay, there you have it, folks! 105 thought-provoking questions to help spark exciting conversation.
Are there any that stood out to you and/or you think you might try? Or do you have any favorite conversation starters? Let me know in the comments!