Sometimes the best way to get to know someone isn’t by asking the usual stuff like 'What do you do?' or 'Where are you from?' Weird, unexpected questions can spark the funniest and most memorable conversations. So Pandas, what are your favorite quirky or offbeat questions to ask when you want to break the ice?

#1

What are some popular things you dislike and some unpopular things you enjoy.

Report

RELATED:
    #2

    I've seen a video where a girl asked her Tinder matches "What's your most controversial opinion?" This question has allowed her to dodge bullets like Neo in Matrix. I think it's a good question to assess a person's moral values and filter out the biggest trash right off the bat.

    Report

    BeesEelsAndPups
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mine is that Tom Bombadil, although a great character, added nothing to the books, and in fact his complete disinterest of the ring is a bit confusing, given how powerful this artifact is supposed to be. He was originally a character from a series of poems that were published into a book called the "Adventures of Tom Bombadil" in the 1930s (well before LotR). And I think Tolkien just kind of jammed him into the story needlessly. Controversial opinion #2: I would never have responded with that to a potential Tinder date as that would get me disqualified by nearly 99% of potential dates. That said, the 1% that would still be interested would be a really good match, so there's that.

    View more comments
    #3

    Not exactly controversial, but establishing musical taste is always right up there for me. If someone is diametrically opposite me on music genres, then that will for sure cause irritation down the line.

    Report

    Rick Murray
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On the way to work today: Rammstein, Simon and Garfunkel, Simple Minds, Matchbox Twenty, and L'Âme Immortelle. On the way back from work: Avantasia (just the one dose of epic rocking). My preferred "genre" is best described as symphonic gothic metal with some eighties thrown in, but basically I'll drop in anything I like the sound of, from Passenger to Mägo de Oz to Kalafina to Fields of the Nephilim. And, no, it doesn't have to be in English.

    #4

    What's your favourite thing? - my son to a lot of people he speaks to for the first time.

    Report

    #5

    What is your favourite dinosaur? Favourite colour? Favourite food? All the sorts of questions we ask kids but stop asking adults. Really makes people stop and think. Also asked a housewife if she was a domesticated or feral housewife.

    Report

    Dona Laura
    Community Member
    3 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love the dinosaur one, Definitely will try that one… at formal dinner, out of the blue, to a total stranger.

    Rachel Reynolds
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As an adult, it seems like no one care what my favorite dinosaur is anymore. Pachycephalosaurus, btw.

    Load More Replies...
    James016
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Which was she? Feral or domesticated?

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Since he lived to write about it, definitely not feral.

    Load More Replies...
    View more comments
    #6

    What is your favourite board game and why?

    Report

    #7

    Not as serious as some of the others here. "If you were a type of potato, what kind would you be?" It's a fun icebreaker and it shows if people are willing to be a little silly. Me? I'd be a tater-tot.

    Report

    nottheactualphoto
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Potato? It almost doesn't matter; I've never met a potato I didn't like.

    View more comments
    #8

    What was the name of your first pet? What's the maiden name of your mother? When is your birthdate? Which street did you live at as a child? And of course: what's your social security number./s

    Report

    Rose Stewart
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's almost like you want to steal my identity

    View more comments
    #9

    Given that my previous post has been removed for reasons unknown, how about: do you believe in free speech?

    Report

    sfgothgirl
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If the answer is no, block immediately

    View more comments
    #10

    Tell me about one of your favorite friends from growing up. Any age.

    Report

    #11

    Dogs or cats? You have a reptile? Pass.

    Report

    Rick Murray
    Community Member
    2 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Cats. There are plenty of lizards and the odd snake outside. Pass what? The water? The salt? The Dutchie? (or does that give my age away?)

    View more comments
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #12

    What is the largest animal you could win a fight against?

    Report

    BeesEelsAndPups
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A more interesting question would be "what is the smallest animal you'd definitely lose a fight with?"

    View more comments
    #13

    What's your birthdate? I might be a weirdo but I want to know where someones Moon, Venus and Mars are and if they match mine. Not everybody is into astrology, but for me it matters. :)

    Report

    BeesEelsAndPups
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I promise I'm asking out of genuine curiosity, but why does astrology matter to you? Is it a religious thing?

    View more comments
    #14

    Your father must have been a thief.....
    Because he has stolen two stars from the skies and put them in your eyes.

    Report

    Apatheist Account2
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is not a question. It's just an awful chat-up line.

    View more comments
    #15

    A few years ago, I was at a dinner at some friends’ house and there was this girl I didn’t know — a stunning blonde. I was young, full of myself, full of clichés and prejudices, and I thought she was just a “dumb blonde.” In the middle of the conversation, half joking , half teasing , I asked her: “Are your b***s real or did you have surgery?” (I know, awful of me).

    She just replied, super chill and polite: “Actually, they are for real.” She didn’t snap back, nothing. And that really stuck with me — the way people react when you put them in an uncomfortable spot says a lot about them. Anyway, she turned out to be a journalist and a writer, and now she’s one of my besties.

    Report

    Kristin Malliet
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I pretty sure a question like that would not get such a chill reaction from the majority of the population, and for good reason.

    View more comments