Whether one is on a senior dating site, LGBTQIA dating app, or any mainstream dating app, the opening message is the most crucial thing. It can make or break a conversation. The opening line decides if a match will turn into a date and maybe into something more. Despite being so important, it is surprising that the least efforts are given to thinking about the perfect line to say to someone when beginning a conversation. “How you doing?” might have worked for Joey Tribbiani, but it doesn’t have that charm and could simply seem boorish for some. It is best to stay away from generic conversation starters and begin with something that is truly an icebreaker.

The best laugh
It is said, “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor”. However, everyone’s sense of humor varies. What one may find hilarious, another may find offensive. A matching sense of humor is often an underrated but important parameter to know whether two people will get along or not. Asking someone about the last time they really laughed and what made them laugh that hard is a good way to sense their type of humor.

The first time
Another great online dating conversation starter would be asking someone about the time when they experienced the joy of doing something for the first time. This can be anything from the first time they rode a bike, caught a fish, went skydiving, read a classic, or heard their favorite song for the first time. This question is a great way to have a positive and joyful start to a conversation. It can follow up with funny anecdotes or a revelatory experience. Either way, one can know their potential date better and gauge how their mind works. This question is a bit tricky as some may assume sexual undertones. Make it clear that it is not so. Keep anything sexual off the table in the beginning. If the other person insists on talking about sex, consider it as a red flag and move on to the next match.

Favorite place
Knowing someone’s favorite vacation destinations can tell a lot about them. Are they more of a beach person or a mountains person? This is a good way to check each other’s compatibility quotient. This also helps to know the other person’s attitude toward life and things in general. If someone is open to exploring places without any conditions, they are quite open-minded. A great follow-up question to this would be to ask what they would like to do at their favorite places. This can get the conversation rolling.

Favorite food
Asking someone about their favorite food is a great but a subtle way to know whether they are vegetarian, vegan, or more of a meat eater. For many, food preferences can often be a deal-breaker when it comes to dating. So, it is best to get that aspect out of the way by asking them about what they love eating. Also, if one loves eating, this question can be a great way to find like-minded dates to explore new places to eat and have new culinary experiences.

Perfect weekends
It has been observed that most people go online on dating websites and apps over the weekends, mainly on Fridays. So, asking about someone’s ideal weekend can be a good icebreaker. How someone spends their free time over the weekends can give a fair idea about what motivates them. One can know whether someone is more of an outdoor person or an indoor person. Ask them about their ideal weekends or what they would like to do if all their usual commitments are taken away. This is a perfect way to stimulate their imagination and have a great start to a sparkling conversation.