How To Respond To "Hey" (Without Being Boring)
"Hey" is the lowest-effort opener on any dating app. 80% of guys reply "hey" back. That thread is dead. The move is to pattern-interrupt with specificity — reference her bio or ask a question she can't answer with one word.
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4 replies that work
“Hey! Quick — if you had to pick one: rooftop bar or dive bar for our first date?”
Why it works: Skips small talk. Assumes the date. Gives her a binary.
“hey back. reading your bio and I have questions. starting with: is the [specific bio claim] aspirational or confirmed?”
Why it works: Specific to her, playful, forces a real answer.
“hey! okay real talk — what's the weirdest thing you did this week?”
Why it works: Invites a story. Stories keep threads alive.
“hey 👋 I'm going to fully ignore the fact that you said "hey" and ask how your sunday is actually going”
Why it works: Self-aware. Acknowledges the low effort without calling it out mean.
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Is "hey back" a good reply?
No. "Hey" + "hey" is a deadlock — you've agreed to exchange nothing. If you want to match her low effort, at least add one specific detail. "Hey — your bio just won me over, one question…" stays casual without killing the thread.
How long should I wait to reply to "hey"?
Within 1–3 hours during the day, next morning if late. The 3-day rule is dead. Waiting longer doesn't create mystery; it creates the impression you're strategizing, which is less attractive than being busy.
What's the best reply to "hey" on a dating app?
Something specific in the first sentence. Reference her profile ("finally — a bio that made me laugh out loud") or lead with a tiny observation ("hey, and: the dog in photo 3 is clearly in charge, I respect that"). Force her to respond with more than two words.
Is she interested if she just said "hey"?
Moderately. "Hey" is the lowest-effort signal on every dating app — she saw you, swiped right, and couldn't think of anything specific. Interested but not invested. Your reply decides whether the investment happens.