Isn't it the same as making some kind of connection with the person? So that you and the person are able to spend time together, meaning you probably have to know what there is that is most important to the guy/girl. I have tended to not be so formal about things like this, I just find out what I want to find out, by interpreting the "get to know eachother" phrase my own way. Usually I go a bit deep and find emotional undertones with the person, or I try to grab something about him/her that I incidentally find interesting, I wouldn't ever be interested or bothered by asking conventional questions.