How To Respond To "hbu" (How About You)
"hbu" means she's asking back — the thread has life. This is the hand-off where most guys botch it with "nothing" or "same".
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7 replies that work
“honestly? just ate the worst burger of my life and I need to tell someone. is this a safe space.”
Why it works: Funny, oversharing, invites her to play therapist/friend.
“I was literally about to text you to say your bio made my day. your turn.”
Why it works: Compliment via callback + turn-takes.
“solid day, could be better if it ended with plans involving you. hbu”
Why it works: Answers, escalates gently, returns the question.
“honestly? bored until about 30 seconds ago”
Why it works: Times the compliment to her message.
“good — better now that I have someone fun to text. don't let it go to your head”
Why it works: Compliment with a tease as the chaser.
“can't complain. actually I can, but I'd rather hear about you first”
Why it works: Self-aware, flips attention to her.
“7/10 day. you could bump it to a 9 by agreeing to tell me your most controversial food opinion”
Why it works: Gives the convo a game to play.
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Can I just reply "same" to hbu?
Only if you follow with something substantial. "same — also, quick question:..." works. Plain "same" kills threads.
What does 'hbu' mean when a guy or girl sends it?
'Hbu' is a common abbreviation for 'How About You.' It's typically used as a reciprocal question after you've shared something about yourself, indicating they're interested in hearing your response.
How can I reply to 'hbu' in a flirty or funny way without being boring?
Inject humor or a playful challenge into your response. Try something like, 'Just pondering if pineapples belong on pizza, hbu?' or 'I was just about to embark on a daring quest for snacks – care to join?'
Is 'hbu' a red flag, or does it mean they like me if they send it?
Sending 'hbu' is rarely a red flag; it's a polite and common way to keep a conversation going. It suggests they're engaged and want to hear more from you, which is a positive sign of interest.