If you’re going to try online dating, chances are you’re going to wind up on many first dates. Most online daters have an average of 11 offline first dates before they find a relationship lasting more than six months.

Now you could do a Google search of ‘What are good topics to discuss on a first date?’ and find countless articles on the same 5 questions everyone asks on a first date, or you could get a little creative and think of your own!

According to a study on the body’s nervous system reaction to a first date by The University of Mississippi, it was found that nearly 80% of all first dates have the same conversation topics. If you want to make your date a success, you’re going to have to stand out!

A website recently looked at first date questions as a mathematical equation, finding out what is necessary to make a good and unique first date question and what isn’t. They found that out of daily first dates, over quarter of a million people asked basic questions, where as less than 50,000 people asked unique content.

So how exactly do you think of original questions to ask your date?

First, take all questions into consideration. Where were you born, where did you grow up, what’s your favorite sport, did you ever travel– anything you would ask someone when you’re trying to get to know them, then narrow the field. Scratch any redundant question, or ones that are too personal. Asking if they have ever been married is appropriate, but asking why they got divorced is crossing the line. Think about a stranger asking you those questions and if you’re uncomfortable with them, don’t ask!

Then eliminate the obvious inquires. If you know what they do for a living from talking to them online, don’t ask what they went to school for, as the answer is probably obvious. You can, however, ask where they went to school and what their experience was like there. It’s a safe topic, but has a new spin on the conversation that follows.

Finding a good first date question isn’t hard, you just have to get a little creative! Think of things you want to know about your date and come up with interesting ways to talk about them. Don’t just ask where they’ve traveled, ask what about the area would bring them back. Instead of asking what their favorite restaurant is, ask about the kind of eating experiences they enjoy, whether it be in a quiet room or a crowded diner.

Don’t be too personal, don’t be too obvious, and don’t be too boring! Keep the conversation light and fresh and you’ll wind up with a great first date as a result.