Where did you grow up?
What were you like in high school?
What’s your relationship with your parents like? (be VERY careful with this one)
What do you want to be when you grow up? (never too late to ask)
What’s the worst job you ever had?
What was the last CD you bought/What’s on your iPod right now?
I find that asking about hobbies can get awkward, because let’s face it, some people don’t have them. That old question, “What do you do for fun?” is kind of…I just can’t think of another word besides awkward. But I do think that bringing up things that you can visually see is good. Like, maybe they have a certain bumper sticker or shirt for a certain band, you might ask if they had ever seen them in concert. If they have a tattoo, you might ask the significance of it. Stuff like that.
@johnpowell: Yeah, I totally agree! I’ve heard that some Europeans consider it somewhat rude to ask “What do you do?” right off the bat…Which makes sense. I think a lot of people ask that question first, but does it really say anything about you? Not necessarily. Unless maybe, you’re a vet and animals are your life or something. But I’d rather be asked anything than “What do you do?” Maybe I’d feel differently if I were more passionate about my job.