First Date Questions Everyone Should Ask

First dates can be very nerve-wracking! We worry that things won't go right, that we'll end up saying something stupid and that the other person simply won't like us. It's easy to get flustered when you feel nervous and unprepared. Making a quick note of great first date questions to ask can help you break the ice and appear more confident - even if it is only on the outside!

Good date questions that cause the other person to think will automatically give you high marks in their books. Most people want to feel challenged. They want someone on the same level as them. So, if you ask something along the lines of "where do you want to be in five years?" you'll get a great sense of who your date is. Their goals will tell you a great deal about the type of person they are and whether or not you are compatible.

Asking first date questions like, "If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?" can be an excellent thermostat to measure a person's self-confidence and humility. It can be refreshing to hear someone note their flaws. Similarly though, it can be a real drag to hear a mile long list of why the person doesn't feel like they measure up. Your partner's self-perception and self-esteem will play a huge part in any potential relationship. You never want to find yourself responsible for someone else's happiness.

Another good date question to ask is, "what are you looking for in a relationship?" This can be a good way to gauge whether or not you are on the same wavelength. If you are looking to have some fun and the other person wants to have a baby, you might want to reconsider that second date! Making expectations clear upfront reduces stress and allows you to focus on the other person rather than on what comes next.

While asking first date questions requiring serious answers is great, you do want to remember that this is still a first date! You don't want your date to leave reconsidering everything he or she has ever wanted in life. Don't force them to delve too personally into themselves and always inject lots of humor into any conversation. A good sense of humor is one of the top qualities any person looks for in a partner. So, after you've had a deep conversation, lighten things up by asking something like, "how could a person royally screw up a first date?" That will get them laughing, but it will also help you avoid an upcoming pitfalls.

Fun first date questions also give you great insight into a person's character. Asking something like, "what was your most embarrassing moment?" allows the two of you to laugh together, but it also helps you gauge how well the other person handles the unexpected. If your date describes it as the "worst experience of her life," you might want to choose someone a little more easygoing. Life isn't going to be perfect...you want someone who can laugh at the crazy situations that inevitably come up.

As much as you might feel like you're being scrutinized on a first date, remember that the other person feels the same way. Engaging in some interesting first date questions is a sure-fire way to get past that initial awkwardness. Have fun with it, don't take yourself too seriously and always listen to what the other person has to say with sincerity. Every date is a learning experience that helps with the next one!