Last updated: November 21, 2024
Ever heard of speed friending?
It’s a fun, fast-paced way to meet new people and make connections.
No awkward small talk here.
Instead, you dive right into interesting conversations using thought-provoking questions.
After hosting hundreds of events, I can attest to this that these questions are perfect for social events, starting a new job, or just expanding your circle.
In this article, you’ll discover:
- What speed friending is and how it works
- A list of 39 engaging questions to use in speed friending sessions
- Tips for making the most of your speed friending experience
Why you should listen to me: My name is Nick Gray, and I’m the best–selling author of the party handbook The 2-Hour Cocktail Party. I’ve hosted hundreds of parties all over the world. After making it a habit, I can easily host a gathering and make new friends with no sweat. I’ve been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and New York Magazine once called me a host of “culturally significant” parties.What is Speed Friending?
Speed friending is a social activity where participants have short conversations with multiple people in a limited time.
It’s all about quickly connecting with others through interesting questions and brief chats.
The goal? To find potential new friends or acquaintances with shared interests.
To learn how to facilitate speed friending questions, see this article for the how-to guide.
39 Speed Friending Questions
These questions are curated from various sources, including:
- The New York Times’ 36 Questions That Lead to Love (adapted for friendship)
- Popular icebreaker card decks and games
- Social psychology research on building interpersonal connections
Here’s a list of 39 questions to get those conversations flowing:
- Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?
- What’s your idea of a perfect day?
- For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
- If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?
- What’s your most treasured memory?
- If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living?
- What does friendship mean to you?
- What roles do love and affection play in your life?
- How close and warm is your family?
- How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?
- What’s your favorite book and why?
- If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
- What’s the most interesting fact you know?
- If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
- What’s your go-to karaoke song?
- If you could instantly become an expert in one thing, what would it be?
- What’s your favorite childhood memory?
- If you could live in any TV show universe, which one would you choose?
- What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
- What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
- If you could learn any language fluently, which would you choose?
- What’s your favorite way to spend a lazy Sunday?
- If you could have dinner with three people, living or dead, who would they be?
- What’s the most unusual food you’ve ever eaten?
- If you could be any age for a week, what age would you choose and why?
- What’s the best trip you’ve ever taken?
- If you could master any musical instrument, which would you pick?
- What’s your favorite movie of all time and why?
- If you could live in any period of history, when would it be?
- What’s the most interesting place you’ve ever visited?
- If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what advice would you give?
- What’s your favorite way to relax after a long day?
- If you could instantly become a master of any craft or skill, what would it be?
- What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen?
- If you could have dinner with any fictional character, who would it be?
- What’s the most valuable life lesson you’ve learned so far?
- If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
- What’s your favorite way to spend time in nature?
Making the Most of Speed Friending
To get the most out of your speed friending experience:
- Be open and genuine in your responses
- Listen actively to others’ answers
- Follow up with related questions to dive deeper
- Keep conversations light and positive
- Respect others’ boundaries and comfort levels
- Have fun and don’t take it too seriously!
Conclusion
Speed friending is a fantastic way to meet new people and potentially form lasting connections.
With these 39 questions in your back pocket, you’re all set to have engaging conversations and discover common interests with others.
The key to successful speed friending is being open, curious, and authentically yourself.
Key takeaways:
- Speed friending involves short, focused conversations with multiple people
- Use thought-provoking questions to spark meaningful discussions
- Be open, genuine, and respectful in your interactions
- Have fun and approach the experience with a positive attitude
- These questions can be adapted for various social situations beyond speed friending events
So go ahead, give speed friending a try! You never know – your next best friend might be just a question away.
In my book, The 2-Hour Cocktail Party, I provide helpful guidance on how to host a great party for any event. I wrote this book to support anyone interested in meeting new people.
When is your party? Send me an email and I will give you some bonus tips, including a pre-party checklist that you can print out. Plus, I’ll answer any question you have, free of charge. I love talking about parties, and I’m on a mission to help 1000 people host their first party.
