Andrew / June 14, 2006 10:30 AM

Question suggested by Paula, inspired by Naz's invisiblity/flying question.

printdude / June 14, 2006 10:34 AM

That question itself might be a good one.

but my questions ALWAYS involve food:
"What four living people would you most like to share a dinner with?"

jgs / June 14, 2006 10:43 AM

Bunnywoman or Chipmunkwoman?

stackedbrass / June 14, 2006 10:56 AM

How much you bench?

Really, what's the best gift you've ever received and why?

Newmedian / June 14, 2006 11:03 AM

I agree with Printdude - Food questions are always good. When I lived in Philly it was always - what's your favorite cheesesteak place? And in Chicago - what's your favorite pizza place?

Amy / June 14, 2006 11:07 AM

If you were a Major League Baseball player what would your at-bat song be?

Flips / June 14, 2006 11:22 AM

If you were in a band, what would the name of the band be?

What is your fantasy escapist job?

dan / June 14, 2006 11:24 AM

This is really embarrassing to admit, but here goes >> I've found the international language is not love, but Simpsons references.

I have a few friends from all over, and even in Ireland, Germany, and Australia, the Simpsons is just as ingrained in their pop culture. And some people are fanatical about it.

Honestly, it would be cool if I could start a conversation with "Hey, does anyone here like Proust?", but it's a lot easier to say "Hey, did anyone catch the Simpsons last night? It was the one where Ralph has a crush on Lisa. " And someone will jump in, guaranteed.

amyc / June 14, 2006 11:30 AM

Who farted?

Or something about food.

dan / June 14, 2006 11:47 AM

Oh, I should add, along with Simpsons >> random stories gleamed off of NPR.

"Hey did you all hear that story about the adult-proof ringtone on NPR?"

w / June 14, 2006 11:48 AM

Do you accept Jesus Christ in your heart as your Lord and Saviour?

FlyGuy / June 14, 2006 11:48 AM

Hey babe, are those mirror pants?

Paula / June 14, 2006 11:56 AM

Since I suggested the topic, I should chime in with my favorite icebreaker.

I ask people what 5 defunkt bands would they have liked to have seen play live.

fluffy / June 14, 2006 12:11 PM

Guys love "do these pants make me look fat?" or
"do you happen to have nosehair clippers with you?" or
"were you born a man?"
or
"is the bump on the back of my neck a cyst or a zit?- what do you think?"
or "Should I shave my toes?"

and finally "Do you choo-choo-choose me to be your valentine?"

I'm a dork- I don't have good ice-breaker questions.

JP / June 14, 2006 12:14 PM

A few I love:

How do you feel about the future?

If tomorrow was yesterday would you do it the same?

If you were the kind of person you despise what would you be wearing?

No wait...I hate these.

mike / June 14, 2006 12:28 PM

Can I sleep with your wife?

oketo / June 14, 2006 12:30 PM

Beatles or Elvis?

JAD / June 14, 2006 12:34 PM

What's your favorite movie / what's you're favorite line from that movie?

Andy / June 14, 2006 1:06 PM

Is that a pajama top you're wearing?

Y A J / June 14, 2006 1:21 PM

I like
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? What did your parents want you to be?

What was your first live music show and what do you wish it was?

What's the last good book you read?

I had a friend who used "Who is your favorite Simpson's character" as a test question for potential dates. The answer didn't matter too much, but they HAD to have a favorite Simpson's character or they didn't have a chance with him.

matty / June 14, 2006 1:34 PM

If you could be one sort of flightless bird, what sort of flightless bird would you be. I would be a gazelle.

d. / June 14, 2006 1:48 PM

i ask about food.

"what's your favorite thing to eat?" or "what food do you absolutely HATE?"

depending on what kind of food they answer with, you'll learn a lot about them. like if they really love mac and cheese, say, and are into comfort foods -- you can pick up on subtle parts of their personality.

Brenda / June 14, 2006 2:07 PM

I try to avoid situations where "icebreaker questions" are necessary, or even expected. And when asked, I usually just smile politely, stare, and quietly walk away. Context, people, context. If you ask me a question you could ask 100 other people in the room -- then I really prefer that you go ask one of them.

Pete / June 14, 2006 2:18 PM

"How many five-year olds do you think you can take in a fight?"

Germond / June 14, 2006 2:18 PM

Seriously... no offense to anyone here, but if someone at a party or whatever asked me one of these questions out of the blue just after we introduced ourselves, I think my response would be something like "what is this, a job interview?"

context i guess

spence / June 14, 2006 2:40 PM

Alot of these questions remind me of really bad first dates.

Y A J / June 14, 2006 3:21 PM

Huh. I didn’t think folks would find these questions so bothersome.
I like to learn about other people. Most people like to talk about their opinions, experiences and preferences. Perhaps I’m thinking in a different context than you are, because I don’t ask people I’ve just met or ask folks in a one on one situation, it’s more a group conversation where we get to hear a number of different answers and it starts people talking. Guess that’s why I like Fuel so much.

printdude / June 14, 2006 3:33 PM

Barbara Walters once revealed to the New York Times her five "foolproof" questions for the over-interviewed:

If you were recuperating in a hospital, who would you want in the bed next to you, excluding relatives?

What was your first job?

When was the last time you cried?

Who was the first person you ever loved?

What has given you the most pleasure in the last year?

Walters says that question three is "an especially good one for comedians. They're hard to interview because you're always the straight man."

[i] quoted from journalism.org[/i]

Terminal Verbosity / June 14, 2006 3:34 PM

Beer or wine?

Hoth or Tatooine?

Theory of special relativity or theory of general relativity?

Hacksaw or woodchipper?

Fortune 500 Company middle management or elephant proctologist?

d4v3 / June 14, 2006 3:52 PM

what the fuck are you doing here?

Appleby / June 14, 2006 4:15 PM

"So, were you and [the party host] in the joint together, or what?"

Seriously, my best intro ever was someone who asked me, "Are you related to Waldo Appleby? Because me and him were good friends up at Elmira [Correctional Facility]."

TaJ / June 14, 2006 4:22 PM

i prefer "icemelters"

spence / June 14, 2006 4:48 PM

I guess I think of an icebreaker as something that new acquaintance(s) do to avoid long uncomfortable silences.

MikeH / June 14, 2006 4:51 PM

How many five-year olds do you think you can take in a fight?

This is a good one which I've actually heard before that requires more thought than one might first think. You have to remember that even five-year olds can be dangerous, especially when they "swarm."
Therefore, I would suggest grabbing the closest one by the legs and swinging him/her around in a circle, effectively using said child as a club. Using that strategy, I think I could probably take up to 40 at one time...

annie / June 14, 2006 4:58 PM

I don't use these questions as an ice breaker but rather a way to get to know someone better after we've hung out for a while. Sadly, they are stolen from James Lipton's Inside the Actor's Studio. Lipton ripes them off of Bernard Pivot:
What is your favorite word?
Least favorite word?
What turns you on creatively? What turns you off? What noise do you love? What noise do you hate? Favorite curse word? What profession would you like to try? What profession would you hate? and....If heaven exists what do you want God to say to you at the Pearly Gates?
You learn a lot about someone with these.

carrie / June 14, 2006 5:01 PM

I'm not the most subtle, but it has worked. Example:

cute guy at the bar... no girls around him... I go right up to him and his friend, tap him on the shoulder and say "hey sorry, did I interrupt your conversation?" (clearly I did) and if he had no desire to talk to me he could just say "yes" and *poof* I'd be gone, but luckily for me he said no and almost a year later I still know him.

I dunno, otherwise I usually go through the generals with a slight sigh because I know everyone asks them all the time, but you know, they're the where are you from, what do you do, what would you rather do, where do you live generals.

Brandy / June 14, 2006 5:17 PM

"Tell me a story."

Not with complete strangers, but usually when there's down time working with semi-strangers. There are generally three types of responses:
1. "Okay, so one time..." The folks who launch into a story.
2. "About what?" The folks who need the field narrowed .
3. "No, I don't have any stories."

I'm most like #2 myself, and I usually don't spend time on/with #3 folks - Who doesn't have any stories, really?! So sad. #1 folks impress me, b/c they usually respond with lightning speed.

Emily / June 14, 2006 5:20 PM

There are the standard: movie/music/books questions.

But once everyone has a drink or 2 in them it's fun to ask questions like what's the most embarrassing thing that's happened to them this year/month/life...who's your favorite muppet...favorite song to karaoke. Much more laughter-inducing topics.

Pete / June 14, 2006 6:03 PM

MikeH - I think I may have got that one from this page a while back. You really get to know people by the way they process and eventually answer the question.

Myself, I 'm good for 18 -20 the old fashioned way, but I respect your technique.

Spook / June 14, 2006 9:02 PM

"What's really hooood, b*tch!!!"

Dan / June 14, 2006 9:08 PM

Are those your real teeth?

How much for your shoes?

Sean / June 15, 2006 7:44 AM

• Hey.
• Hi.
• What's going on?
• How close were you actually able to park to this place?

madachode / June 15, 2006 8:21 AM

When was the last time you tossed your mom down 5 flights of stairs?

p / June 15, 2006 8:31 AM

You party?
or

I saw Bruce Vilanch on the street last week and said "Waddup Bruce"- how cool is that shit?

mare / June 15, 2006 9:34 AM

What was your first concert?

fluffy / June 15, 2006 10:21 AM

"So, what's in your pants?"

Josh / June 15, 2006 11:16 AM

"Hi, nice to meet you. I hope we become friends, 'cause you might have to bail me out of jail before the night's over."

One time many years ago, a woman approached me at a bar. She put her index finger in my beer, then she wiped it on my shoulder. "I'm so sorry, I've made you all dirty. I hope you'll forgive me." Damn, she was good.

van moxie / June 15, 2006 2:01 PM

Back when i used to date a lot of strangers (like most of the 90s) and I was trying to speed up judgement, I used to ask, "if you had a song that would follow you around, announcing your presence, like an aria or something, what would it be?" But then again, I've asked all sorts of people that, not only potential sex partners.
or
"When the revolution comes, what will you be doing?"

I never claimed they were good icebreakers, but they have worked for me without fail.

relis / June 15, 2006 2:18 PM

I don't normally enjoy icebreakers unless it's my first day of initation at Camp Wallowbee, and then I like the one where each person tells one lie and one truth about themselves, and you have to guess which is the truth.

Marilyn / June 15, 2006 2:51 PM

Who's your favorite film director? Tells me a lot.

christian / June 15, 2006 7:54 PM

"Who do you favor in the Virginia Slims tournament?"

I don't have many icebreaker questions, I do like the "tell me a story" one, it's been used on me once or twice, good thing I always have a story to tell.

joel / June 16, 2006 12:31 AM

Hey baby, your momma let you date?

lurky / June 16, 2006 10:10 AM

Here's my favorite, I use it whenever I answer the phone:

"Hello?"

Adam Bada / September 26, 2006 5:09 PM

What CD is in your car right now?

And if they dont have a CD player in the car you proceed to slap them and thank them for their time.

David Johanning / October 29, 2006 1:04 AM

Someone should review some of the posts, some are not appropriate. There are some good questions.

Jerusalem / December 3, 2006 11:43 PM

Would you rather sit in cat shit or dog shit? And why?

smacn / December 20, 2006 3:18 PM

Two I like (even though questions like these are annoying)

If you could have a theme song play behind you every time you entered a room, what would it be and why?

If you were a super hero, what would your super power be? cape or no cape? spandex or no? what would your super hero logo look like? what would be your "colors"?

Courtney Lynne / January 12, 2007 11:34 PM

Which of the two is more important, sexual quantity or sexual quality?

Although I cannot directly relate to either of the two, it roots good ground to get to know someone.

Moleman / February 3, 2007 4:38 PM

Does this smell like chloroform?

Sir Charles / February 5, 2007 6:47 AM

Look at the person, compliment it and ask about where he/she got something they have.
FACT: people love a compliment and to talk about something they like.
Also make sure you are atleastremotely interested in the object of conversation least you will get busted for an act never lasts forever!

TC / February 22, 2007 12:41 AM

If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?

Ally J / March 5, 2007 4:06 PM

If you knew you were about to be stranded on a deserted island, what would you be sure to bring with you?

Fleur / March 19, 2007 4:39 PM

Try;

'Your Face'

Lmao cracks me up every time.

bethie22 / March 21, 2007 7:49 PM

nice shoes wanna fuck??

amanda / July 11, 2007 11:04 PM

hmm well this is all very fascinating. me an dmy friends play this game called questions where you go back and forth asking eachother questions, and you have to answer truthfully. These questions have given me ideas for the game which is swell. my personal favorite is if you had a week to live who would you have sex with lol.

John / August 13, 2007 12:28 AM

Some pretty interesting thoughts. Check out this webpage of icebreaker instructions: good icebreakers collection for some more ideas.

Mj / January 25, 2008 1:12 PM

Do u Like guns, cause i'm loaded.

Kj / January 31, 2008 4:31 PM

Do you think you can have more than one soul mate?

If you think you have more than one, do you have to kill the one that's not your favorite?

Ash / December 23, 2008 12:17 AM

As a child my father wanted me to be able to converse with adults. He taught me these 2 icebreakers that, sad to say, I have never used.
1) Does your mother always dress you that way?
2) Do you have any other deformed relatives?

anthony / January 25, 2009 11:12 PM

i rather like the 5-year olds one... its kind of funny to see peoples reactions/answers and it really is a hard one to answer because it really does depend on the 5-year olds... if it were a bunch of nerdy ones i could take on a few dozen easily... but ive seen 5-year old wrestlers that would probably only take 4-5 to kick my ass like i was lame lizard

fatdutchkid / April 20, 2009 1:33 PM

How many 5-yr-olds? I think that given favorable conditions, and having crotch shots legal, I can storm through over 100.. But in real life, with some regard for manners, maybe 12-15...

How many infants could you punch in the face in 20 seconds?

And how many people do you know would actually answer that question without flippin the "bitch switch" on you?

Case / November 2, 2009 1:47 PM

What do you think is the ideal age?

Would you rather live near the mountains or the sea?

Austin / November 13, 2009 1:53 PM

Well then, how many 5 year olds? Now are we allowing punches below the belt, back hands, lead pipes, and biological warfare?