Out of all the words in the dictionary, getting a “hey” message on Tinder has to be one of the most agonizing.
You match with someone, get excited, and all you get is…hey? Sigh.
But fret not! This handy guide is here to rescue you from the hey-induced wilderness.
We’ll explore 11 strategies to respond to “hey” on Tinder
So bid adieu to confusing one-word openers, and let’s dive right in!
First Thing First: Why might they start with just “hey”?
There can be a few reasons:
- They find you attractive but expect you to drive the conversation
- They’re shy or awkward when chatting with matches
- They’re juggling multiple matches and don’t want to invest much time
- They’re not very interested but want to be polite
While the motivation behind “hey” might vary, the most constructive approach is to give them the benefit of the doubt. Lead with optimism and use it as a conversation starter rather than making assumptions.
1. Play It Casual With “Hey” Back
Want to keep it simple? Just respond with “hey” yourself!
It matches their energy while subtly putting the ball back into their court.
You could spice it up with an emoji like 😊 or a fun variant such as:
- “Hey you!”
- “Hiya!”
- “Howdy partner!”
Adding their name also builds rapport. So “Hey Clara!” works nicely.
2. Ask “What’s Up?”
If you fancy something a bit more substantial, inquire into their day or life.
This opens the door for organic conversation while remaining friendly and low-pressure.
Some examples:
- “Hey! How’s your day going so far?”
- “What adventures have you been up to recently?”
- “How’s everything going?”
You can then dive deeper based on their response.
3. Bring Up Shared Interests
Did something in their profile grab your attention? Bring it up!
Showing you took the time to actually read their profile makes a fantastic impression. Plus, having stuff in common is catnip for conversation.
“I saw you enjoy scuba diving, that’s awesome! I’ve always wanted to learn.”
“Looks like we both love national parks! Have you been to Yosemite?”
And so on. You get the gist.
4. Ask For Their Opinion
Questions are conversational rocket fuel. And asking for opinions makes someone feel valued.
Get to know their tastes in music, travel, food, or anything fun and lighthearted. The key is keeping things upbeat and engaging.
“What’s your take – are playlists better for listening to music or just shuffling songs?”
“Mountains or ocean – which would you rather live near?”
Give it a whirl!
5. Challenge Them
Competition breeds attraction…and conversation!
Rather than a boring question, try a fun challenge like Would You Rather or finishing an interesting sentence prompt.
“I dare you to tell me your most controversial opinion…”
“If we went on a date, I bet you would…”
This shows confidence and gets creative juices flowing.
6. Dish Out Compliments
Flattery is a timeless attraction builder. But make sure to keep it classy!
Compliment their smile, then segue into admiring their personality or bio. This shows you respect more than just their looks.
“You have an amazing smile. And your bio actually seems really interesting too!”
Mixing compliments with genuine interest is the goal.
7. Whip Out Cheesy Pickup Lines
Okay, pickup lines aren’t for everyone. But when done playfully, they make fantastic icebreakers!
If possible, customize them to their pics or bio. Beach photo? Use ocean puns! Engineer in bio? Bring on the nerdy lines!
“Are you Google? Because you have everything I’m searching for.”
The cringier the better!
8. Call Out The “Hey”
Let’s be real – “hey” isn’t the strongest opener. Give their playful crap for it!
Keep things lighthearted with plenty of 😂 emojis. Show you can take a joke too by poking fun at yourself if need be.
“Woah a ‘hey’? How scandalous. There are children present!”
“I don’t usually respond to ‘hey’ but I’ll make an exception…”
Banter and laughter are universal bonding tools. Use them!
9. Emojis Are Your Friend
When words fail, emojis prevail!
The classics like 😃 or 😉 work great. Feeling mysterious? Throw down some random ones like 🐬💃🍟 and start a guessing game!
🔥 for an amazing profile
👀 for “I see you!”
😍 when you’re mesmerized by their pics
…you get the idea 😎
10. Don’t Respond
Gasp – the nuclear option?!
But hear me out – not all matches are meant to be.
If you’re not vibing based on their minimal effort and plain profile, don’t force it. There are plenty more matches in the sea 🌊
Give it a day or two to see if they message again. But if nada…onto the next!
Choosing the Best Response Strategy
Hopefully, these tips equip you to transform “hey” openers into something more engaging!
Let’s say she is a woman, now, as you select a response strategy, consider three factors:
1) Her bio/pics – Is there anything you can reference or call back humorously?
2) Her vibe – Does she seem outgoing or shy? Select bold vs. soft/subtle approaches accordingly.
3) Conversational goals – Do you want to spark witty banter? Dive into values and priorities? Set expectations of mutual effort? This helps guide strategy.
While “hey” might signal minimum effort, that doesn’t mean you should reciprocate. View it as a test to rise above by leading creatively and boldly.
Demonstrate you don’t settle for boring pleasantries – you yearn for meaningful connections. Let that inspire your response rather than reacting from annoyance.
Final Words
And there you have it folks – 11 enticing ways to take “hey” and transform it into an actual, enjoyable conversation!
Now you can relax and focus on more important things – like planning witty banter and cute date ideas. 😁
Go get ’em tigers! 🐯
