This is one of the most common questions that we have been asked during our experiences with speed dating and, in our opinion, one of the most vital. As you can imagine having 20 almost identical conversations during the evening can be extremely taxing and being quizzed 20 times regarding your abode, marital status, place of work, number of offspring’s would become extremely dull and disinteresting by the end of the evening. We have compiled a list of thought provoking and imaginative questions that you may wish to consider which will make ‘your dates’ think and extract their real personality. Not every ‘date’ you have during your evening will be your ‘soul mate’ but why not take the opportunity to have a good, fun evening of interesting and stimulating conversation? – it may be that someone that you may initially feel you do not consider as ‘romantic material’ may prove to be the most compatible companion you have had all evening.

There are basically two types of questions to ask those of you who have had sales training will be all too familiar with these!!

Closed questions: those that require to ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer – for example ‘have you been here before?’

Open questions: those that encourage a longer more detailed response and can not be answered as above – for example ‘what do you think of the bar?’

Open questions usually start with the words ‘what’, ‘where’, ‘which’, ‘when’ and ‘who’. This form of questioning will make you stand out from the other guests and allow you to make that impact.

We would strongly recommend that you did not compile a list of questions to accompany you during the evening as this would make other guests feel uncomfortable and would adopt the structure of an interview rather than relaxed conversation.

• When you are on holiday, are you a sunbather or explorer?
• What would be your perfect job?
• What are you passionate about?
• If you could be anywhere this weekend, where would it be?
• You are going to design a perfect weekend for me, what will we be doing?
• What is your greatest achievement?
• If you were on a desert island, what three luxury items would you take with you?
• What is your ideal Saturday afternoon?
• What is your perfect Sunday morning?
• What is your favourite restaurant?
• What CD is in your hi-fi at the moment?
• What book are you reading at the moment?
• What is your all time favourite film, and why?
• If you could go to dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?
• What makes you laugh?
• What makes you cry?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• What TV Channel is your favourite?
• What television/radio show would you never miss?
• What is your favourite day of the year?
• What is the one thing you want to do before you die?
• What is your biggest ambition?
• What is your favourite season and why?
• How would your friends describe you?
• Do you prefer to cook or order a takeaway?
• What 3 things would you put in a time capsule?
• Are you an outdoor or indoor person?
• What is your biggest secret that you have never told anyone?
• Who is your favourite actor/actress and why?
• What soap-star can you most identify with?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
• If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
• If you could change places with anyone for the day who would it be?
• Who was your hero when you were a child?
• What hobbies do you enjoy, and what do you do for fun?
• If you won the lottery this weekend what would be the first thing you would buy?
• What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
• What is the funniest thing you have ever done?
• What is your most embarrassing moment?
• What have you done that’s made you feel ashamed?
• Who has most influenced your life?
• If you wrote a book about yourself, what would you call it?
• What is the most important quality in a person, in your opinion?
• What quality in a person most annoys you?
• What animal would best describe you?
• Have you told your friends/work colleagues that you are coming speed dating tonight – if ‘yes’ what did they say?

There are certain questions we would strongly recommend that you do not ask fellow guests during the evening, here are a few examples:

• What is your home address/telephone number? (we discourage ALL guests not to disclose this information to anyone during the evening)
• What are the contents of your scorecard?
• Have you ticked me?
• How far do you go on the first date?

It would be advisable not to discuss topics of conversation regarding sexual preferences, politics, religion, ethnic background etc as this may possibly offend. We ask all our guests to be polite and courteous to all other guests during the evening.