Long gone are the days of passionate letters about ardent love and admiration.
These days, it is much more common to receive a short opening line on a dating app than to be delivered a long and meaningful message.
Unlike the famous lovers of bygone centuries who socialized by getting all dressed up to go to formal dances, we today are much more likely to meet someone swiping through an app on our phone while wearing sweatpants.
But is it wrong to sometimes wish you could be approached with something a little bit more interesting or romantic than “Hey”?
Here is a brief run-through of how best to respond to “Hey” on Bumble depending on the specific circumstances.
The 15 best ways to respond to “Hey” on Bumble
- Hey there yourself ☺
- Hey! Is that your dog in your picture?
- Hey! How’s your day going?
- Hey there, [insert name]!
- Hey, I’m glad you messaged ☺ How are you doing?
- What a pleasant surprise! How is it going, [insert name]?
- Send your match a meme.
- So, would you rather have feet for hands or hands for feet?
- Hey there beautiful!
- Well hello ☺
- Hey, thanks for the message. Since we first matched, I’ve realized that this app isn’t for me. Sorry about that! Hope you find what you’re looking for on here!
- Hey! Thanks for reaching out. It’s nothing personal at all, but I’m going to unmatch with you because I’ve met somebody. I wish you all the best ☺
- Hey, thanks for writing. You seem really great, but I’ve realized that I want to meet someone in real life and not on an app, so I’m going to unmatch.
- Please don’t take it personally, but after looking at your profile again I can see that we have very different interests, so I’m going to unmatch.
- Hey! I see in your profile that you don’t want to have children, which is something I really do want. I’m going to unmatch for this reason, but I wish you all the best on the app!
How to respond to “Hey” on Bumble if you are interested in the sender
Imagine that a Bumble notification pops up on your phone screen. When you go to check it, all the message says is “Hey”.
This may initially seem a little disappointing. After all, it isn’t a very interesting message. But try to look on the bright side!
On Bumble, women have to message men first in order for a conversation to start. Your match may be new to dating apps or feel insecure about starting a conversation (something we can surely all relate to).
The first thing to do is to have a look at the sender’s profile and see whether you are interested in continuing the conversation. Are you attracted to them? Do you have similar interests? If the answer to one or both questions is yes, then try to respond in a way that will keep the conversation going.
Here are a few ways you could respond to “Hey” on Bumble to keep the conversation going.
- Hey there yourself ☺
This is a way to show you are interested without having to say too much. Saying “Hey there yourself” gives the conversation a jokey, lighthearted tone and lets your match know it is okay to be informal.
The smiley is a clear sign of interest!
Example:
A: Hey.
B: Hey there yourself ☺
- Hey! Is that your dog in your picture? [Or a similar question about something in the sender’s profile.]
The best way to get a good conversation going is to reference something specific in your match’s profile.
Do they have pictures on what looks like Mount Everest? If so, ask about it (“Hey! Did you really climb Everest?”). Do they have a picture with a motorcycle? Ask whether it is theirs! Picture of them surfing? Ask how long they’ve been surfing.
If you can find something on their profile that you have in common, ask about it! It will be sure to give you lots to talk about.
Example:
A: Hey!
B: Hey! Is that your dog in your picture?
- Hey! How’s your day going?
This is a good way to respond to show interest while still playing it cool. You’ve returned the greeting and asked them an easy-to-answer question.
Once they’ve told you how they’re day is going, they will likely ask how yours is going and you’ll be off to a good start.
A: Hey.
B: Hey! How’s your day going?
- Hey there, [insert name]!
Using someone’s name in a greeting is a great way to make a message personal and to show that you are giving them your full attention.
This may give your match the confidence they need to start asking you questions about yourself.
Example:
A: Hey ☺
B: Hey there, Janine!
- Hey, I’m glad you messaged ☺ How are you doing?
If you are happy that one of your matches messaged, there is nothing wrong with letting them know this!
They will be flattered and will probably become more talkative now that they know that your interest is genuine.
Example:
A: Hey.
B: Hey, I’m glad you messaged ☺ How are you doing?
- What a pleasant surprise, how is it going, [insert name]?
This message will help your match feel comfortable messaging you, as they know that the interest is not one-sided and that you want to get to know them better.
Addressing your match by name gives the message a personal touch.
Example:
A: Hey!
B: What a pleasant surprise, how is it going, Sally?
- Send your match a meme
Are you the kind of person more likely to send your friends a meme than to communicate via text?
If so, why not respond to “Hey” with a particularly funny meme or gif. Find one related to something on their profile, or simply share a favorite of yours.
Who knows, you might just have the same sense of humor!
Example:
A: Hey
B:
- So, would you rather have feet for hands or hands for feet?
Want to cut to the chase and establish good rapport right from the beginning? If so, skip the greeting and ask a humorous question.
Do they have an unusual name you could ask about? Choose something about their profile that piques your interest and ask them about it. If not, why not ask a funny would you rather question?
Your match will surely appreciate you starting an interesting conversation and you won’t have to deal with too much boring small talk.
A: Hey.
B: So, would you rather have feet for hands or hands for feet?
- Hey there beautiful!
Don’t be afraid to compliment your match. They will be flattered and appreciate that you are genuinely interested in them.
If your match has sent a simple message because they are worried about coming on too strong, then complimenting them will be sure to bring them out of their shell.
A: Hey.
B: Hey there beautiful!
- Hey ☺
If you can’t think of something clever to respond, why not just write back “Hey ☺.”
By matching what the person you’re messaging has said and adding a smiley face, you are showing that you are willing to get to know them and that you are interested in continuing the conversation.
Once you have reciprocated their interest in chatting, they will probably be more forthcoming.
Example:
A: Hey.
B: Hey ☺
How to respond to “Hey on Bumble if you are not interested in the sender
If you aren’t interested in the sender for whatever reason, it is best to kindly let them know that you are going to unmatch from them.
While many men on Bumble don’t respond to messages from women they aren’t interested in, it is always better to provide an explanation for why you don’t want to continue the conversation.
Here are a few ways to politely let someone know that you are on different pages.
- Hey, thanks for the message. Since we first matched, I’ve realized that this app isn’t for me. Sorry about that! Hope you find what you’re looking for on here!
Some people have great success on dating apps and thrive on the amount of choice out there. Other people find constantly flicking through pictures of people’s faces tiring or overstimulating.
Even though most people today look for partners on dating apps, there is no reason why you have to. Many people still meet each other in person and fall in love.
If you have decided you don’t want to be on Bumble and someone you matched with in the past messages you to say “Hey,” simply let them know that you have realized the app isn’t for you.
Example:
A: Hey.
B: Hey, thanks for the message. Since we first matched, I’ve realized that this app isn’t for me. Sorry about that! Hope you find what you’re looking for on here!
- Hey! Thanks for reaching out. It’s nothing personal at all, but I’m going to unmatch with you because I’ve met somebody. I wish you all the best ☺
Life works in strange ways. It is entirely possible that the order in which the Bumble algorithm decides to put faces in front of you will determine your future!
Imagine you match with two people. The one you match with first is quicker to send a message. You hit it off with them, meet up, and become totally infatuated by the time your other match messages you to say hey.
If you know you want to give all your attention to one developing relationship, simply let the match you aren’t interested in know this.
Example:
A: Hey!
B: Hey! Thanks for reaching out. It’s nothing personal at all, but I’m going to unmatch with you because I’ve met somebody. I wish you all the best ☺
- Hey, thanks for writing. You seem really great, but I’ve realized that I want to meet someone in real life and not on an app, so I’m going to unmatch.
Perhaps you’ve realized that the app life isn’t for you. You want that old-fashioned meet cute, with a romantic storyline and a love-at-first-sight moment.
If you’re sure that meeting someone in person is very important to you, there is no point in continuing to chat on apps.
If someone you have matched with in the past reaches out to say hey, simply let them know that you’ve changed your mind about apps.
Example:
A: Hey ☺
B: Hey, thanks for writing. You seem really great, but I’ve realized that I want to meet someone in real life and not on an app, so I’m going to unmatch.
- Please don’t take it personally, but after looking at your profile again I can see that we have very different interests, so I’m going to unmatch.
Honesty is never a bad idea.
If the reason you don’t want to chat to a girl who messages you “Hey” on Bumble is because her profile suggests that all she likes to do is outdoor sports, whereas you’re much more of a Netflix and indoor activities kind of guy, then why keep the conversation going?
Just let her know that you have different interests. Ultimately, you are doing both of you a favor!
Example:
A: Hey!
B: Please don’t take it personally, but after looking at your profile again I can see that we have very different interests, so I’m going to unmatch.
- Hey! I see in your profile that you don’t want to have children, which is something I really do want. I’m going to unmatch for this reason, but I wish you all the best on the app!
Some things are non-negotiable when it comes to looking for a partner. If you are sure you want to build a family, check that the person you are speaking to on Bumble also wants children or is at least undecided.
Fortunately, Bumble has handy icons to help you figure out whether your match also wants kids.
Bumble’s Basic Info Badges are like stickers you can add to your profile to let others know everything from your stance on drinking, to whether you have and/or want children, to your political leanings.
If your match’s profile indicates that they don’t want kids and this is a dealbreaker for you, there is no point in chatting further.
Let them know that you are going to unmatch for this reason. Keep the message polite and friendly by wishing them all the best.
Example:
A: Hey!
B: Hey! I see in your profile that you don’t want to have children, which is something I really do want. I’m going to unmatch for this reason, but I wish you all the best on the app!
Hey, it’s me, Steven. Dating and relationships have always fascinated me. On Dategosu, you will find my best tips to make sure your next date is a great success!