Easy shared ground
Start with taste and everyday choices
Ask about a recent song, a comfort meal, a show worth recommending or the ideal way to spend a free evening.
Preference questions work because there is no single correct answer. They invite personality without making the conversation feel like an assessment.
Move into stories
Turn an answer into a small memory
If she names a place, ask what made it memorable. If she mentions a hobby, ask how she first tried it.
Stories create more conversational material than isolated facts. Share a related moment of your own so the exchange stays balanced.
Look forward
Use plans and curiosity for fresh energy
Ask what she would learn with a free month, where she would travel for a weekend or what small goal she wants to finish next.
Future-focused topics stay positive without requiring the conversation to become overly personal.