Plenty of topics and things could be used as good conversation starters. Take, for instance, basic get-to-know-you questions. These babies are as universal as they can get! Then, of course, a conversation might start with your cowboy boots worn to a UN assembly or something. And although the last one seems like a fun idea, we know an even better one - thought-provoking questions! Not to be confused with provocative questions, though. So, if you’re looking for some interesting questions to ask your S.O., your friends, your granny, or anyone, really, you’ve come to the exact right place. Yup, this is our list of thought-provoking questions, and with them, you’ll never run out of things to discuss!
Yeah, we know that it is sometimes hard to keep a conversation going, especially if you find yourself digging through your cranium, which suddenly seems as empty as a decorative vase placed in your granny’s cupboard for god knows how long. And since we know the situation painfully well, we’ve gathered these smart questions to ask in one place, so neither of us will have to endure the embarrassment, not once again. Also, if a more dreaded situation occurs, one where it is expected from you to provide some comedic relief, there are also some pretty funny thought-provoking questions here, too. This way, you can provide those lusted-for ha-ha’s and start a conversation. Win-win!
So, ready to check out our list of meaningful questions suitable for any occasion? Let’s get going, then! The questions are just a bit further down, and once you read them all, give your vote to the ones you’d like to answer the most. After that’s all done, share this article with your friends!
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Which is worse, failing or never trying?
Would you rather have more time for yourself or have more money?
If you could travel back in time, what would you change?
The paradox is that right now, you are aware of the actions of someone like Hitler. So if you go back in time and murder him before he commits his atrocities, so far so good, Hitler is dead and therefore no Holocaust. Great, right? Wrong. In order to go back in time and kill him, you first had to know about him. If you prevent the atrocities by killing him, there is no way that future-you would know or care about one A. Hitler, murdered in the 1930s. So you would pick something else to change in the past. But that can't happen, because you MUST kill Hitler so he DOESN'T commit the atrocities that YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT. Simple.
Is intentionally harming one for the good of the majority ethical?
If the average human lifespan was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
According to you, what are the three main disadvantages of the modern world we live in?
What job would you never accept (regardless of the salary)?
Would you break the law to save a loved one?
Does social media have a positive or negative impact on you?
Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?
Do you think in pictures?
depends. if I'm just thinking usually not. If I'm trying to remember something then yes, I think in pictures
Where do you find peace?
What is the one thing that you do today but you couldn’t do two years ago?
Do you think conflict is a bad thing?
Conflict is inevitable to, and ubiquitous in the human condition. It is the tension which allows us to exist, to persevere, to survive. Humans thrive on conflict whether it is human against themself, human against other humans, or human against nature. Conflict is necessary. There would be no heroes without conflict. Without conflict we would be blobs of indecisive goo in a lukewarm ocean of mediocrity.
Would you rather choose to be in an asylum or prison?
There are nicer “club fed” prisons, but some rehab centers are like luxury resorts
Have you ever regretted something you did not say or do?
Why must you love someone enough to let them go?
For me, it was a "gotta be cruel to be kind" thing. Ed wasn't telling his family about his orientation, even though they'd made it clear they all loved his uncle who's gay, he wasn't telling them about his suicidal ideations, and he was constantly lying to himself about not needing a therapist. I was supposed to be the girlfriend, not the therapist, and until he didn't have me, he would never understand. I think there's still some resentment there, but he's on meds now, open entirely with his family, and is working under his dad, who understands what he needs and will give him that, but also encourage him to be his best person. If I'd stuck it out, we would both still be miserable.
Do you exist before you were born?
Really, the answer to that is dependant on ones own belief system. It can differ, too, if one is asking about biological existence, or if referring to ones soul/spirit/what-have-you. Even the same person can answer differently if they have a religious/spiritual believe and they choose to answer based on that belief, or their scientific knowledge.
If actions speak louder than words, is speaking an action?
Yes. Since 'speak' is a verb, and a verb is an action word it follows that speaking is an action. On the other hand 'action' is a noun rather than a verb although the definition of this noun is 'doing something' and 'do' is a verb. Theoretically the phrase might be flipped to "Words speak louder than actions" but what fun would that be?
Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?
If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow this person to be your friend?
When you are 80-years-old, what will matter to you the most?
How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
What small act of kindness were you once shown that you will never forget?
This one makes me cry every time. I was hanging out with my friend, asked if I could spend the night, was told no for no reason, then was given five minutes to get back to the house before I'd get in trouble. I was trying to hold back the resentment and anger, and my friend's mom just put her hand on my shoulder. Around 13 years old, and that was the first sign I'd ever gotten of motherly affection. I cried right at that point. It was the first time someone had ever looked past my immediately emotions to the pain I was in and acted upon it. And it'll probably be the only time it ever happens...
Would you rather lose all of your old memories or never be able to make new ones?
This is hard... my personality comes from my old ones sooooo uhhhmmmm... aaaaaaaaa
What does love feel like?
When was the last time you had a brilliant idea that you couldn’t stop thinking about?
If you had an opportunity to make one thing illegal, what would it be?
If you could receive a million dollars under the condition that one stranger becomes poor, would you accept it?
What would be the best remedy for healing the entire world?
When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
it means once everything has been said and everything has been done , what did you do more of? did you say things and not act on it, did you act on your words etc etc
Would you want to remember every detail of your life? Why or why not?
If you could ask one person, alive or dead, only one question, who would you ask and what would you ask?
It would be a random person and the question would be whazaaaaa?. I'll see myself out.
What are your favorite simple pleasures?
What are the three most important things on your bucket list?
Make sure my cats have loving homes to go to once I die, go cage diving with great whites and feed them already processed chickens, and act as a dead person in something.
What is your most improved character trait?
Not being clingy. Doesn't mean I'm independent, but being able to be alone and not be lonely is valuable.
What activity makes you feel happiest?
If you had a chance to change the world, how would you do it?
It would be nice to have Australia much closer to Europe 🐨
What’s the most sensible thing you’ve ever heard someone say?
Do you ask enough questions or do you settle for what you know?
I had to get out of the whole "they don't want to hear your questions" thing cuz not everyone are my parents. So I do ask questions.
If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
Do all people deserve respect, no matter what they have done?
What is the difference between falling in love and being in love?
What do you love most about yourself?
Funny to see no one else has answered this. For me, it's my moments when I enjoy tiny details of life.
How long would you survive in a zombie apocalypse? What’s your plan?
If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
What does it mean to allow another person to truly love you?
To allow them? Then that means to let them help me and me not instantly get anxious about what they say.
What are the primary components of a happy life?
Imagine that your pet could talk. What do you think it would say to you?
If you were arrested, what would your family and friends think you had done?
Stolen someone's cats after finding them in a bad place and battery for pinching the person in the face when I found them abusing the animals
What is the most life-changing decision you’ve ever made?
Not making them. Mistake or success, at least I would have done something.
When you meet someone for the first time, what is the first thing you notice about them?
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
What are the things you’re most grateful for?
If you could do anything you wanted right now, what would you do?
When was the last time you tried something new?
If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30 year old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?
Have you done anything lately worth remembering?
Rescued a kitten and his little sister. His sister ran away but she visits.
Which activities make you lose track of time?
When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards and just do what you know is right?
What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
My breakfast prep. I p**s someone I know off every time she sees me prep my regular pancakes with sunnyside up eggs and hash browns/grits
Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
Is there such a thing as evil people? What makes them evil?
Evil people say Ukraine needs to be rescued from nazism. That enough?
If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?
Why do we think of others the most when they’re gone?
Who do you think stands between you and happiness?
Can there be happiness without sadness? Pleasure without pain? Peace without war?
Is there such a thing as perfect?
Do you believe in reincarnation?
I believe in the possibility. I have met people who could describe their former life and house location and details with no way of knowing those. When the parents took them it was as they said. However the people who are convinced they were Cleopatra or who run around telling everyone they feel a slight connection with that they were priestesses in the temple together are a little sus. I think that's more like the subconcious interpreting things in an archetypal way than actual memories.
What are three moral rules you will never break?
Do not kill on purpose without reason, do not steal from those unable to afford it, and past that, I'm not sure
When you help someone do you ever think, “What’s in it for me?”
How do you define success?
Is there ever a time when giving up makes sense?
When you've wasted more than you've gotten and you know it'll only get worse.
If you could take a single photograph of your life, what would it look like?
Black, but you'd hear lots of giggling and screaming when you look at it.
What is the easiest way to catch your attention?
Do you see crying as a sign of weakness or strength?
Are you grateful for everything you have?
What are two life lessons you learned the hard way?
Don't pay to be in a job, and no one will ever tell you what's bugging them about you until they just blow up in your face about it.
What are the three main ingredients that make a perfect relationship?
What has been the most challenging period of your life?
Do you think emotional affairs and texting are more harmful than physical affairs?
What makes your life worth living?
What is your vision of utopia (in this instance, a perfect society)?
What are the things that you do for the sake of becoming your best self?
Have you ever been a victim of stereotyping?
What are the things you like to daydream about?
What makes you feel appreciated and loved?
When someone asks how I'm doing and understands when I say "I'm tired" knows it's so much more than that and actually wants to hear what's going on.
What gets you excited about life?
If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?
What people have said about me behind my back. Not if they do, everyone does. But what has been said.
What is the difference between living and existing?
What do you value most in a friendship?
If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?
I'd just go volunteer at SPCA all the time. If I only had a year, everyone would quit trying to use me for things they wanna do
What does your joy look like today?
Cats not throwing up and I get the house to myself for at least an hour
Would you rather have less work or more work you actually enjoy doing?
Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
Does someone’s name influence who they become?
Do you believe in aliens?
How many of your friends would you trust with your life?
If today was the last day of your life, who would you call and what would you tell them?
How would the world be different if you were never born?
Do you feel respected and appreciated by me?
According to you, what is the most important event in the history of the human race?
What do you think is keeping you from experiencing complete happiness?
Do we judge and gossip about other people for the sake of feeling better about ourself?
What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?
When was the last time you listened to the sound of your own breathing?
What is your most beloved childhood memory?
To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
What is your favorite song and why?
Does your zodiac sign have any real influence in your life?
What is something trending now but will probably be considered stupid a few years from now?
When you’re feeling ill, do you have a tendency to go online and diagnose your symptoms?
What is the worst name you could give your son or daughter?
Have you ever sent a text message to the wrong recipient?
What are the top three things you like about me?
How do you imagine your life in the future?
If you could invite anyone in the world to dinner, who would it be?
What do you wish you spent more time doing five years ago?
Are you holding onto something that you need to let go of?
How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people’s?
Can you describe your life in a six word sentence?
Are people born good, or do we learn moral virtue?
If it all came back around to you, would it help you or hurt you?
What do you have that you cannot live without?
How would you describe ‘freedom’ in your own words?
Do you feel uncomfortable talking to me about anything?
What three words best describe you?
Who is your favorite cartoon character and why?
If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?
What do we all have in common besides our genes that makes us human?
Do you believe in fifth-dimensional beings and reality?
If you could live the next 24 hours and then erase it and start over just once, what would you do?
What’s the difference between settling for things and accepting the way things are?