Hot takes are bold, unconventional opinions or questions that spark debate.
They make conversations lively, fun, and sometimes even heated.
Whether you’re looking for icebreakers, fuel for a fiery discussion, or just curious about other perspectives, this list of 100 controversial hot takes and questions is perfect for any setting.
What Are Hot Takes?
Hot takes are opinions or viewpoints that challenge conventional wisdom or accepted norms.
They often provoke strong reactions and are meant to spark engaging conversations.
A great hot take makes you pause, think, or even argue passionately.
How to Play the “Hot Takes” Game
Playing the “Hot Takes” game is simple, fun, and perfect for groups of all sizes. Here’s how you can turn these controversial opinions into an engaging activity:
What You’ll Need:
- A list of hot takes (you can use the 100 examples above).
- A group of friends, family, or coworkers.
- Optional: A timer and a scoring system (if you want to keep it competitive).
Rules for Playing the Hot Takes Game
- Choose a Moderator (Optional):
- If you’re playing in a large group, designate someone to read the hot takes and keep the game moving.
- Select a Hot Take:
- The moderator (or any player) picks a hot take from the list and reads it aloud.
- Debate Time:
- Each player or team takes a turn sharing whether they agree, disagree, or are neutral about the hot take—and why.
- Keep it respectful, but don’t be afraid to get passionate!
- Timer (Optional):
- To keep things quick and lively, set a timer (e.g., 1-2 minutes) for each person’s response.
- Vote on the Hot Take:
- After everyone has spoken, the group votes:
- Majority agrees – The hot take gets a “thumbs up.”
- Majority disagrees – The hot take gets a “thumbs down.”
- Split vote – The hot take remains “controversial.”
- After everyone has spoken, the group votes:
- Scoring (Optional):
- Assign points for convincing arguments. For example:
- +2 points for swaying someone’s opinion.
- +1 point for the funniest or most creative response.
- Assign points for convincing arguments. For example:
- Rotate Turns:
- The next player or moderator picks another hot take, and the game continues.
Tips for a Great Game:
- Make it personal. Share stories or experiences to back up your opinion.
- Respect differences. The goal is fun, not arguments.
- Spice it up. Add your own hot takes to the list for variety.
- Stay flexible. Feel free to skip hot takes that the group finds boring or irrelevant.
Examples of Controversial Hot Takes
Food and Drink
- Pineapple on pizza is the best combination ever.
- Cereal is better eaten dry, no milk needed.
- Coffee is overrated; tea does everything better.
- Ketchup belongs on everything, even spaghetti.
- Ice cream should be eaten year-round, even in freezing temperatures.
- Burritos are superior to tacos in every way.
- Avocado toast is the most overpriced food trend ever.
- Watermelon is wildly overrated as a summer fruit.
- Chunky peanut butter is far superior to smooth peanut butter.
- All desserts should be served warm.
Entertainment and Pop Culture
- Reality TV is more authentic than scripted dramas.
- Superhero movies are ruining cinema.
- Streaming platforms have made movie theaters irrelevant.
- The Beatles are overrated.
- Book adaptations are almost always better than the original books.
- TikTok is the most influential platform of our time.
- Social media influencers are the new celebrities.
- Animated movies should not win “Best Picture” Oscars.
- The original Star Wars trilogy isn’t as good as people say.
- Binge-watching is a terrible way to enjoy shows.
Social Norms and Behavior
- Small talk is unnecessary and should be avoided.
- People should stop clapping on airplanes after landing.
- Saying “bless you” after someone sneezes is outdated.
- It’s rude to ask someone what they do for a living.
- Birthday parties after the age of 25 are unnecessary.
- Dressing up for flights is pointless—comfort is key.
- Sharing food on a first date is a bad idea.
- Tip culture has gotten out of hand.
- Kids should call adults by their first names, not “Mr.” or “Mrs.”
- Public proposals are cringe-worthy and should be avoided.
Relationships and Love
- Soulmates don’t exist.
- Long-distance relationships aren’t worth the effort.
- Couples shouldn’t post about their relationship on social media.
- Love at first sight is a myth.
- You can absolutely love more than one person at the same time.
- Splitting the bill on a date is always the fairest option.
- Marriage is an outdated institution.
- Living together before marriage is essential.
- Your partner should not be your best friend.
- Breaking up over text isn’t always a bad thing.
Work and Education
- The 9-to-5 work schedule is outdated.
- College degrees are overrated and unnecessary for success.
- Working from home should be the standard for most jobs.
- Meetings are a waste of time 90% of the time.
- You should not need to be “passionate” about your job.
- Homework does more harm than good for students.
- Dressing up for work is unnecessary in most industries.
- Internships should always be paid.
- Standardized tests are meaningless measures of intelligence.
- Employees should have unlimited vacation days.
Technology and Society
- AI will eventually be more creative than humans.
- Robots taking over jobs is a good thing.
- Social media is more harmful than helpful to society.
- Everyone should delete their Facebook account.
- Cryptocurrency is a bubble that will eventually burst.
- People should spend at least one day a week without their phones.
- Video games are just as important an art form as painting or music.
- Electric cars aren’t the solution to environmental problems.
- Technology is making people less empathetic.
- The world would be better without smartphones.
Society and Culture
- People should stop having kids to help the planet.
- National holidays should be voted on and updated every decade.
- Everyone should have to pass a basic empathy test to use social media.
- There should be no age limits for voting or running for office.
- Public libraries are becoming obsolete in the digital age.
- Graffiti is a legitimate form of art and should be protected.
- Museums should display replicas, not the original artifacts.
- Cultural appropriation debates are overblown.
- Tipping should be banned and replaced with higher wages.
- Public schools should prioritize life skills over academic subjects.
Sports and Fitness
- Soccer is the most overrated sport in the world.
- Athletes are paid far too much money.
- Yoga is not a real workout.
- The Olympics are no longer relevant in today’s world.
- Formula 1 is the only sport where the machine matters more than the athlete.
- Baseball should have a time limit to speed up the game.
- Esports should be included in the Olympics.
- The World Cup should be held every two years instead of four.
- Home gyms are better than public gyms.
- Cheerleading should be considered a sport.
Fashion and Beauty
- Skinny jeans will never go out of style.
- Makeup is unnecessary for most occasions.
- Tattoos should not be considered professional.
- Crocs are the most practical footwear ever invented.
- Fast fashion should be illegal to protect the environment.
- Men should wear makeup if they want to.
- Luxury brands are overrated and overpriced.
- Dressing for comfort is more important than dressing for style.
- Hair dyeing should be embraced at any age.
- Fashion trends recycle every decade—nothing is truly new.
Money and Lifestyle
- Everyone should live in a tiny house at least once in their life.
- Splurging on travel is better than saving for a house.
- Minimalism is overrated and impractical for most people.
- The lottery is a tax on the poor.
- Credit cards should be banned to prevent debt culture.
- Being rich doesn’t make you happy, but it solves most problems.
- Retirement should start at 40, not 65.
- Owning a car is unnecessary if you live in a city.
- Renting is smarter than owning property for most people.
- Expensive weddings are a waste of money.
Conclusion
These 100 hot takes cover everything from food and fashion to technology and society, making them perfect conversation starters.
Whether you agree or disagree, the beauty of a hot take lies in its ability to challenge perspectives and ignite passionate discussions.
So, which hot takes resonate with you? Which ones do you vehemently disagree with?
Let us know in the comments—just remember to keep the debate fun and respectful!
Why Hot Takes Matter
Hot takes make conversations engaging. They help us see the world from different perspectives and challenge our assumptions. They can be serious, silly, or downright provocative, but they always get people talking.
So, the next time you’re at a party, on a date, or just hanging out with friends, try dropping one of these hot takes. Who knows? You might spark a debate that lasts for hours.
What’s your favorite controversial hot take? Share it in the comments below!