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[Let’s Get Closer] A Collection of Engaging Questions for Self-Introductions
There are actually more opportunities for self-introductions than you might think—like at a new school, a new company, or gatherings with different people.
While self-introductions often end after covering the basics, there are times when you want to build a deeper connection and learn more about the person.
In those moments, why not ask a few questions to get to know them better?
In this article, we’ll share example questions that can liven up a self-introduction setting.
Use these fun questions to spark conversation, learn a bit about someone’s background and way of thinking, and deepen your relationships!
[Let's Get Closer] A Collection of Engaging Questions for Self-Introductions (1–10)
What was your childhood dream?
This is a question about what each person admired when they were a child and what kind of dreams they had.
By learning about childhood memories, you can also get a sense of the path they’ve walked and how it connects to the present.
Even if we simply say “when you were a child,” I think dreams change depending on the period, so it’s also recommended to ask in the flow of which dreams they had at which times.
It could be engaging not only to focus on how their dreams changed, but also to guide them to recall the reasons why they held those dreams.
If you compared yourself to an animal, what would it be?
This is a question asking what animal you would compare yourself to and why.
Whether the chosen animal is based on appearance or personality can reveal aspects of the person’s character, temperament, and feelings toward animals.
It’s also worth considering whether the animal you chose fits you from others’ perspectives, and if not, what other animal might.
Since the topic is animals, it’s also a great springboard to talk about favorite animals or pets you’ve had.
What was your nickname when you were a child?
This is a question about what someone was called by those around them during childhood and whether their nicknames changed over time.
There are nicknames derived not only from their given name but also from their appearance and behavior, so nicknames can reveal the person’s relationships with people around them.
If you ask not only about their own nicknames but also the nicknames of those around them, you can get a sense of what kind of community they belonged to.
Focusing on the nicknames they gave to others could also be an interesting way to check their sense of naming.
What anime did you watch when you were a child?
Learning about each person’s childhood memories can also help you understand their character, right? Among those childhood memories, how about talking about the anime you watched and the works that left a strong impression on you? There are so many anime series out there, so let’s focus on the differences in what people watched depending on their generation and sensibilities, and have a discussion.
Even among people of the same generation or with well-known titles, it’s interesting how much attention each person paid to a show can vary depending on their personal preferences.
What are you collecting?
It’s about asking people what collections they cherish or what things they find themselves gathering in everyday life.
Rather than stopping at what they collect, if you also ask what got them started, you can gain a deeper understanding of their personality.
From how long they’ve been collecting, you can also get a sense of their level of focus on things.
If you find a fellow collector, you can bond over shared interests, and it can also spark curiosity about things you didn’t know before—making it a great conversation topic.
What did you buy recently?
How about talking about the things you’ve bought recently and sharing opinions on whether they were good or bad? Rather than everyday consumables, it’s best to focus on noteworthy new products or big purchases that improve your life.
If you also learn what they pay attention to when they buy something, you can get a feel for their day-to-day life.
Be sure to ask where they bought it, what they bought, and what impressions they had, and get to know their personality.
If you could be invisible for just one day, what would you do?NEW!
Psychic powers are a staple element in stories, and many people have probably imagined abilities they admire.
Among such powers, let’s focus on the ability to become invisible and try to predict what someone would want to do with it.
It could be exciting to consider this not only from the questioner’s personality but also to see how close it is to what the respondent wants to do.
You could also segue into topics like other possible uses, making it a fun conversation starter as well.
What’s a song you always sing at karaoke?NEW!
If you’re a music lover, here’s a question you should definitely try asking: have them guess your go-to karaoke song.
If it’s someone you’ve been to karaoke with many times, they might get it right.
Otherwise, they’ll likely have to deduce it from your generation and musical tastes.
What makes this question tricky is that the songs you usually listen to aren’t necessarily the ones you sing.
Even younger people sometimes have a surprising Showa-era classic as their signature number.
If you’ve got an unexpected go-to song like that, try asking this question and surprise everyone.
What is something you’d like to try eating at least once?NEW!
There are rare delicacies from around the world, bizarre foods, and ultra-luxury ingredients that are hard to get—things you don’t normally eat and don’t necessarily want to eat every day, but might want to try at least once in your life, right? Think of those slightly unusual foods and turn them into a quiz! Even people who know you well probably won’t guess the answer easily…
Which is why everyone will likely throw out all kinds of guesses, making it a lively, fun question to get the conversation going.
What do you do on your days off?NEW!
Everyone spends their days off differently: some use the time to rest, while others fully indulge in their hobbies.
This activity aims to glean personality traits, behavior patterns, and what people value in their daily lives from how they spend their holidays.
Even if someone uses the time for rest, have them consider the finer details of how they rest; if it’s about hobbies, have them think through the specifics—encouraging deeper reflection.
If you discover shared ways of spending time, that can become a great springboard for a lively conversation.