questions

Ever since the 36 questions to make you ‘fall in love with anyone‘ were published, it seems like every person on the internet has had their own go at writing what they think should be on the list.

And as much as I’d like to do the same, I’m not really qualified to help other people fall in love (unless you specifically want to fall in love with either chocolate covered raisins or Popchips, in which case, I am your woman).

But as somebody who never likes to be left out, I have written a list of my own, albeit a slightly more trivial one. These questions may not make you fall in love, but they might just save you a few arguments when you get further down the line. Here are 36 questions to ask each other during that marvellous early stage of a relationship to help make sure you’re actually going to get along in the long term. You’re welcome, friends.

1. In your opinion, is it OK for somebody to leave traces of toast crumbs in a tub of butter?

2. On a scale of 1 to packing your bags and moving out, how angry does changing the bed make you?

3. If you use up the last of a toilet roll, whose job is it replace it?

4. Harry Potter vs. Lord of the Rings – how enraged does that statement make you?

5. Do you respect coasters?

6. Towels smell better when they have been left in a wet pile on the floor than when hung up nicely on a drying rack – TRUE OR FALSE?

7. If I were to wear extremely comfortable clothes around the house, would you immediately stop finding me sexually attractive or simply admire my enjoyment of lounging?

8. When drunk, how amusing do you think it is to go home, make yourself a sandwich and leave grated cheese absolutely everywhere?

9. Related: if I was already asleep when you came home from a night out, do you think I would like it if you turned on the bedroom light?

10. Do you consider openness to skiing holidays to be a deal breaker?

11. If I were to leave my clothes anywhere in the house except in a drawer/cupboard, in the laundry basket or on my person, how would you react?

12. Are you available at short notice to offer life-affirming pep talks?

13. How much value do you place on hugging, cuddling and other snuggle-based activities?

14. Public displays of affection – embarrassing and out of the question, or romantic and a cost-effective way to stay warm?

15. What would your response be if I were to share amusing anecdotes from our life on social media?

16. What level of conversation do you think it’s reasonable to have in a cinema?

17. How well do you respond to feedback about your domestic abilities, such as your dishwasher loading, clothes folding and bin emptying skills?

18. Do you think there should be a limit placed on the number of leisure baths a person has per week?

19. Are there any specific times of year when, due to a love of sport, you are entirely unavailable for social activities?

20. Dancing’s fun – isn’t it?

21. If I’m trying to say something to you but failing to find the right words, how hard will you try to work out what I mean?

22. How would you describe your relationship with confectionery? a) Healthy. That word was so unfamiliar to me that I had to google it. b) Moderate. Who doesn’t like a little hot chocolate of a winter’s night? or c) Problematic. My bloodstream is now just one big strawberry lace.

23. How many episodes of the same soap opera do you think you could tolerate in a week?

24. How much excitement does the word SALE cause you?

25. What about: VALENTINE’S DAY?

26. What is your attitude to greetings cards?

27. Watching repeats of Friends every day for the rest of your life – a quirky habit or an unthinkable way to spend your life?

28. At approximately what time would you expect a ‘late’ night out to end?

29. How would the sight of somebody wearing shoes on your lounge carpet make you feel?

30. Pranks – funny things to watch on TV or something you actually like to do to humans you’re supposed to love?

31. Do you know where your house keys are right now? How frequently is the answer to that question ‘no’?

32. How necessary do you consider closing the door whilst using the toilet to be?

33. What are you most afraid of? (Watch out for key words, such as ‘commitment’, ‘meeting other people’s parents’ and ‘you’).

34. Do you understand what ‘hand-wash only’ means?

35. How about ‘remove film lid BEFORE putting in microwave’?

36. Do you think it’d be wise for us to see other people?