20 Questions

Questions to Ask Favorites

Lighthearted and engaging questions that help you discover someone's preferences, interests, and personality while creating fun conversations and building connections.

1

What's your favorite color and why?

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Why this works

Opens up conversation about their preferences and reveals what they find appealing about different colors, often leading to discussions about their personality and tastes.

2

What's your favorite way to spend a weekend?

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Why this works

Reveals their lifestyle preferences and what they find most enjoyable and relaxing, showing their approach to leisure and personal time.

3

What's your favorite type of music and why?

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Why this works

Shows their musical taste and reveals what they find appealing about different genres, often leading to discussions about their emotions and preferences.

4

What's your favorite season and what do you love about it?

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Why this works

Reveals their preferences for different times of year and what they find appealing about seasonal changes and activities.

5

What's your favorite type of food and what makes it special to you?

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Why this works

Shows their culinary preferences and often leads to discussions about their cultural background, memories, or what they find comforting.

6

What's your favorite way to relax and unwind?

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Why this works

Reveals their approach to self-care and what they find most rejuvenating, showing their understanding of their own needs and preferences.

7

What's your favorite type of movie or TV show and why?

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Why this works

Shows their entertainment preferences and reveals what they find engaging or entertaining, often leading to discussions about their interests and values.

8

What's your favorite way to exercise or stay active?

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Why this works

Reveals their approach to physical activity and what they find enjoyable about staying fit, showing their lifestyle and health priorities.

9

What's your favorite type of book or reading material?

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Why this works

Shows their intellectual interests and reveals what they find engaging or educational, often leading to discussions about their learning preferences.

10

What's your favorite way to celebrate special occasions?

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Why this works

Reveals their approach to celebrations and what they find meaningful about special moments, showing their values and traditions.

11

What's your favorite type of weather and why?

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Why this works

Shows their preferences for different weather conditions and what they find appealing about different climates and atmospheres.

12

What's your favorite way to learn something new?

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Why this works

Reveals their learning style and what methods they find most effective for acquiring new knowledge and skills.

13

What's your favorite type of art or creative expression?

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Why this works

Shows their artistic preferences and reveals what they find appealing about different forms of creative expression and beauty.

14

What's your favorite way to spend time with friends?

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Why this works

Reveals their social preferences and what they find most enjoyable about spending time with others, showing their approach to friendship and social connection.

15

What's your favorite type of travel destination and why?

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Why this works

Shows their travel preferences and reveals what they find appealing about different places and cultures, often leading to discussions about their interests and values.

16

What's your favorite way to start your day?

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Why this works

Reveals their morning preferences and what they find most energizing or enjoyable about beginning their day.

17

What's your favorite type of gift to give or receive?

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Why this works

Shows their gift-giving preferences and reveals what they find meaningful about giving or receiving presents, often leading to discussions about their values and relationships.

18

What's your favorite way to handle stress or difficult situations?

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Why this works

Reveals their coping strategies and what they find most effective for managing challenges and maintaining their wellbeing.

19

What's your favorite type of conversation or topic to discuss?

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Why this works

Shows their communication preferences and reveals what they find most engaging or meaningful to talk about.

20

What's your favorite way to show someone you care about them?

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Why this works

Reveals their love language and how they express affection, showing their approach to relationships and emotional connection.

Best Practices for Favorites Conversations

Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.

Best Practices

Show Genuine Interest in Their Preferences

People appreciate when you show interest in their likes and dislikes. Ask follow-up questions that demonstrate you're listening and want to understand their preferences better.

Be Ready to Share Your Own Favorites

The best conversations about favorites are mutual. Be prepared to share your own preferences and experiences to create a more engaging and reciprocal conversation.

Focus on the Why Behind Their Choices

While it's fun to learn what someone likes, the most interesting part is often why they like it. Ask about the reasons behind their preferences to understand them better.

Question Sequences

The Lifestyle and Preferences Sequence

1
What's your favorite way to spend a weekend?
2
What's your favorite way to relax and unwind?
3
What's your favorite way to start your day?

The Entertainment and Interests Flow

1
What's your favorite type of music and why?
2
What's your favorite type of movie or TV show and why?
3
What's your favorite type of book or reading material?

Common Pitfalls

Don't Judge Their Preferences

Everyone has different tastes and preferences. Avoid making negative comments about their choices or trying to convince them to like something else.

Avoid Overly Personal Questions

While favorites questions are generally light and fun, avoid questions that might be too personal or invasive, especially in early conversations.

Don't Make It an Interview

These questions should feel like natural conversation, not an interrogation. Space them out and let the conversation flow organically.

Conversation Templates

The Lifestyle and Preferences Flow

1
Step 1: Start with: "What's your favorite way to spend a weekend?"
2
Step 2: Continue with: "What's your favorite way to relax and unwind?"
3
Step 3: Finish with: "What's your favorite way to start your day?"

The Entertainment and Interests Sequence

1
Step 1: Begin with: "What's your favorite type of music and why?"
2
Step 2: Follow with: "What's your favorite type of movie or TV show and why?"
3
Step 3: End with: "What's your favorite type of book or reading material?"

Further Reading

"The Art of Conversation" by Catherine Blyth
"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie
"The Charisma Myth" by Olivia Fox Cabane

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