You're at a party. All of a sudden, the hostess comes up to you and says, "You simply have to meet John. The two of you have so much in common." Then she bustles away, leaving you and John staring at each other. What to do now? How to start that first conversation? These get to know you questions will help you figure out if you and John are truly soul mates or merely the victims of bad matchmaking.

"What do you do?"
Cliche? Sure. But there's a reason why this question has stood the test of time; as an icebreaker, it works. The answer gives you information to allow you start getting to know someone. At the same time, the question isn't so intrusive as to be offensive. Finally, there's lots of room for follow up. Most people enjoy talking about themselves and will be delighted to give you details about their occupation, whether that's developing nuclear technology or raising five rambunctious kids.

"So, how do you know [mutual acquaintance]?"
Again, this is a light, surface-y question that can net you a wealth of information when meeting people. Perhaps you'll find that the person you're talking to shares similar hobbies ("Anne and I met playing dungeons and dragons in college.") or a secret past that may someday be valuable as blackmail material. ("I was Anne's first boyfriend.").

"Have you read any good books or seen any good movies lately?"
If his definition of a great movie is Night of the Living Dead 3D and yours is Wuthering Heights (the Merle Oberon, Laurence Olivier version, please), it's better to know it now. Ditto if the last author he enjoyed was Ann Coulter and the last author you enjoyed was Al Franken. 

"If you knew that tonight was your last night on earth, how would you spend it?"
He gets bonus points for creativity and extra bonus points if his answer involves sweeping you off your feet to some romantic spot where you can watch the end of the world together. Points are taken off for any answer that involves him interfacing with a machine. ("I'm finally gonna make it to level 10 in Farmtown!")

"What are your pet peeves?"
Let's face it, we've all got 'em. Now is the time to bond over your mutual hatred of drivers that cut in front of you and then slow down, as well as the geniuses who have had their right turn signal on through the last two states.

"What is the bravest thing you've ever done?"
Everyone likes to toot their own horn a little, so at least some of your get to know you questions should focus on your companion's strengths and skill. You may "ooh" and "ah" at the appropriate times.

"If you could have one do-over in your life, what would it be?"
Just like everybody has moments of glory in their lives, everyone also has moments of shame, times when they wished they had acted heroically, but didn't.  Listen to the words your companion uses to describe the time he'd like to do over. Does he acknowledge his own mistakes and shortcomings, or is everything somehow everybody else's fault?

"Your place or mine?"
If he's been patient with all the little tests you've flung his way so far, he's probably keeper...at least for tonight. You can reassess and ask more get to know you questions in the cool, reasonable light of morning. For now, enjoy!