If you’re on a quest to build new friendships, you may find yourself going on a “friend-date” or two. What is a friend date, you ask? It’s a relatively new term for when two people who have been introduced through an event, a social or dating app, mutual friends, or another medium have their first hang. It sounds low stakes - and it is! - but often there can be a lot of nerves surrounding a friend-date, as it’s the first time you’re assessing if the two of you have enough platonic chemistry to continue building a friendship. It can feel a little awkward, and you may feel a bit out of your comfort zone. If you’re worried about what you’ll talk about as you embark on your friend-dates, we got you - here are some conversation starters that are both fun and light, but still help you get to know your potential new friend on a more meaningful level.

Note: If you need a way to find some folks to go on friend-dates with, check out Skip the Small Talk events in your area or online!

Where is home for you? What do you integrate or have in your life now that makes you feel at home?
Who’s the person in your life you go to when you have a secret you want to get off your chest? Who do you go to when you need advice?
What’s your favorite holiday to celebrate? If it’s a dress up holiday, what did you dress up as last year?
If you were going to host a dinner party, what would you serve? What would be the theme?
Give me some media recs! What is something I HAVE to read, listen to, or watch?
What’s going on in your romantic life at the minute? (if they’re comfortable sharing!)
If a loved one came into town for a visit, what’s the one or two places in your neighborhood you’d make sure to take them to?
What qualities do you typically look for in friendships? Are they different from what you look for in romantic relationships?
If you were going to pick up a new hobby or skill (and magically be really good at it), what would it be?
What does your dream day look like? What would you do, who would you be with, etc.?

10 Conversation Starters For Friend-Dates

Where is home for you? What do you integrate or have in your life now that makes you feel at home?

Who’s the person in your life you go to when you have a secret you want to get off your chest? Who do you go to when you need advice?

What’s your favorite holiday to celebrate? If it’s a dress up holiday, what did you dress up as last year?

If you were going to host a dinner party, what would you serve? What would be the theme?

Give me some media recs! What is something I HAVE to read, listen to, or watch?

What’s going on in your romantic life at the minute? (if they’re comfortable sharing!)

If a loved one came into town for a visit, what’s the one or two places in your neighborhood you’d make sure to take them to?

What qualities do you typically look for in friendships? Are they different from what you look for in romantic relationships?

If you were going to pick up a new hobby or skill (and magically be really good at it), what would it be?

What does your dream day look like? What would you do, who would you be with, etc.?

What other questions or conversation starters have you used to break the ice with a potential friend? Share with us in the comments!