Best questions to ask someone on a dating app

On Tinder, I really hate nothing more than getting a "whaddup?" as a first question. If I'm on Tinder, it's literally because I have nothing better to do. Maybe I'm waiting in line at the grocery store or maybe I'm taking a break from watching The Handmaid's Tale (not a great aphrodisiac, by the way). Whatever it is, it's not interesting enough to captivate my attention. Fortunately, Tinder allows me to be my own entertainment, provided I can think of better questions to ask my Tinder match other than a boring old, "Not much, hbu?"

Still, I can't blame someone for not knowing what to say first. It's tough to be creative. But my profile exudes natural beauty and wit, and I'm guessing so does yours. If you've got them tongue-tied, you can assume it's for good reason, so why not do your best to keep that convo going? After all, you only have so long to keep someone's attention, just as someone else only has so long to keep yours.

“Dating apps have a digital lightning speed to aspect to them,” online dating expert and digital matchmaker Julie Spira previously told Elite Daily. “The main reason is, there are only so many matches you can communicate with at a time. Your brain can only keep up with three to five, and if the conversations start to wane, or you’re not making plans to meet IRL, it’s easy to lose interest when a new batch arrives.”

Here are some question ideas to ask that could help get your match to open up:

1. "In My Refrigerator I Have Cream Cheese, Chocolate, Radishes, Artichoke, And Peas. What Can You Make Me For Dinner?"

This is like a virtual Chopped. Challenge your Tinder match to make the best meal possible out of random ingredients you have in your fridge. (And if the contents of your fridge are like mine, the meal is bound to be... interesting.) If they pass the test, why not invite them over to prove their culinary skills in person? Or they can provide you with a recipe you can make yourself... either way.

2. "How Did Your Last Tinder Date Go?"

Think you have nothing in common with that yacht captain who enjoys basket weaving and listens exclusively to Big Sean? Well, you thought wrong! Dating on Tinder is a shared experience in and of itself, where you get to experience all the varieties of humanity at large. It might not always feel like the best vehicle for finding true love, but you'll definitely learn how many different types of people there are. If you're willing to share some of those stories, it might just bring you and your Tinder match closer. Plus, it will give you an idea of what you can expect from meeting up with them.

3. "What's Your Idea Of A Perfect Day?"

If it's marathon running and Muscle Milk-chugging for your match, and you're more of a couch, TV, and bag of potato chips variety (or vice versa), maybe you don't want to try to keep pace. Or maybe you do! Dating is about trying new things, right? Of course, if they paint a picture of a day that sounds perfect to you as well (I'm thinking art show and picnic in the park, followed by ice cream and a movie), then you can follow up with, "OK, how about Saturday?" and keep the connection alive with a plan to meet.

“The biggest reason a conversation fades is that you don’t have a gameplan to meet,” Spira said. “Dating on an app isn’t about finding a digital pen pal. It’s about meeting in person to see if you have chemistry or enough in common.”

4. "What Were Your Grandparents Like?"

One of the nicest conversations on Tinder that I ever had was with a guy who shared his family's history with me. It turned out that his grandfather was a traveling salesman through the rural South who went on to open up a general store and lost it all to gambling... or something like that — the details get fuzzy.

Hearing a person's family stories is a great way to feel emotionally connected to them, however temporarily, and eases things up for a first date. If they don't know much about their grandparents, that's OK, too. You can ask them about brothers and sisters, parents, or caregivers, and still get some insight into where they're coming from.

5. "If You Could Go Back To The Past, What Time Period Would You Choose?"

This sounds like a lazy question, but I get the sense that knowing which historical era people relate to gives you good insight into their political beliefs. For example, lots of straight men on Tinder claim to be "feminists," but are they feminist really? If they tell you "the 1950s," then they might not be that understanding of the gender divide. If they answer "the age of the explorers," then you might want to ask them if they see any problem with Christopher Columbus, historically.

But, if they answer, "Honestly, every period of European history seems to be problematic for women, people of color, or queer folks. I guess if I had to, I'd choose a pre-colonial society ruled by matriarchs or even one where people had fluid gender identities," then they might be the one!

6. "Where's The Next Place On Your Travel List To Visit?"

This can be a great conversation starter to compare cities that you have visited or countries that you have traveled to. I tend to find that traveling stories are pretty compelling and interesting across the board.

7. "What Is The Most Interesting Gig You've Ever Worked?"

Whether they were fired after a single shift at Starbucks or were a security guard at a nightclub for a minute, what people do for money can be kind of fascinating. Heck, maybe they're a Yukon River guide who's never had a boring work day. That should give you plenty to talk about.

8. "Who Were You In High School?"

Color guard captain? Quarterback of the football team? Art nerd who skipped gym to make out in the dark room? Whatever their type, you probably had somebody comparable at your high school to give you a good sense of who they were. Plus, I have this theory that most people don't change thatmuch after 16. You also have your own high school experiences, and I find that waxing nostalgic — even with someone whom you didn't know at the time — is a fail-safe way to break the ice.

9. "Would You Rather Date Frodo Or Sam From Lord Of The Rings?"

Yes, I still play "Would You Rather," and yes, with Tinder crushes, it can be hilarious. I find you can get pretty kinky over messaging, and it's always great to have some tease-worthy material for flirting. Plus, it's a great way to open up the conversation and give your own answer and the reasons behind them. (Personally, probably Frodo. Tiny, sad men are my type.)

10. "You Have The Following Objects: Scissors, Rosemary Oil, Feather, A Rope, A Hairbrush, And A Safety Pin. You Can Use Them On Me However You Like. What Do You Do?"

Full credit to performance artist Marina Abramović for this conversation starter, and more props to your Tinder match if they know where this question comes from! Asking this question may help reveal a person's kinks, if that's your intent. It allows you both to be playful and exploratory, while still in the safety of your home. Personally, if that rosemary oil involves a massage? I'll be over in 10.

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