How to Respond When She Says 'Hey'
You match, you wait, and all you get is 'hey'. Here's the move that turns a one-word opener into a real conversation.
'Hey' is the worst opener in dating app history. It costs the sender nothing, gives the receiver nothing to work with, and most replies die inside three messages because neither person has any material to build on.
The usual advice is: don't reply, wait for something better. That's fine if you're on Tinder with unlimited matches. But on Hinge or Bumble, 'hey' might be all you get, and you either rescue it or lose it.
Here's the move.
Don't answer 'hey' with 'hey'
If you write 'hey' back, you've just agreed to the worst possible opening for both of you. You'll sit there waiting for them to say something interesting. They'll do the same. Nobody does, the thread dies.
Reply with a specific question about their profile
Skip the response to 'hey' entirely. Go straight to something you actually want to know about them. 'Hey — okay, the ceramics photo, yours or a flex?' is a reply that bypasses the dead opener and forces the conversation to skip ahead.
Or reply with a playful challenge
'Hey — is this the part where you tell me what you're into or do I have to drag it out of you?' A little teasing, and now they have to reply with actual content.
Or just send a question they can't one-word
'Hey — pick one: best sandwich in town goes.' Rankings and choices get replies because they feel like a game instead of an interview.
What not to do
Don't send three questions in a row. Don't send a paragraph. Don't ask 'how was your day' — that's just a longer 'hey'. One clear redirect, with something that proves you looked at their profile.
If 'hey' keeps happening and you can't find the redirect yourself, drop the screenshot into the Analyzer. Three replies, three tones, you pick.