How to keep a Hinge conversation going
By RMH Editorial. Updated .
Respond to what your match said, then add something they can respond to. That might be your answer to their question, a related experience, or one follow-up question. Keeping a conversation going takes both people. Use the reply builder to find words for your side of it, without treating a short reply or a delay as proof of what they feel.
What to say after hey
A greeting gives you little information, but it doesn't prove the person is uninterested. You can greet them back and add a question about their profile. If they mentioned cooking, ask what they like making. If you have no detail to use, ask about something they're looking forward to.
You don't have to point out that their opener was short. If you want to talk, give them an opening. Then see whether they join the conversation.
Answer a question without turning it into an interview
When someone asks how your weekend was, give them one real detail. "I tried making dumplings and ended up with very uneven shapes" tells them more than "good, you?" Only use that example if it actually happened. An ordinary detail about your own weekend works just as well.
You can ask a follow-up if you want to hear the answer. You do not need to attach a question to every message. A response to their story may be enough for them to continue it.
Two ways to answer a weekend question
Their message
How was your weekend?
Possible reply 1
I tried making dumplings. They looked uneven, but dinner was good. Have you cooked anything new lately?
Possible reply 2
I spent most of Sunday trying a new recipe. I finally understand why people make a big batch of dumplings at once.
These are examples. Use a detail from your own weekend. The first asks a related question; the second leaves space for a response without asking one.
When the replies stay short
One short reply can mean many things. Repeatedly getting no response to what you share tells you the exchange is not giving you much to work with. It still doesn't tell you why.
Try sharing one concrete detail or asking one easy question if you want to continue. If you keep doing all the work, you can let the thread end. You don't need to write a confrontation or solve the other person's interest level.
Restarting a quiet conversation
A follow-up can refer to something you already discussed. Avoid sending a stack of new questions, commenting on how long they took, or asking them to account for their silence. You may also decide to leave the conversation where it is.
If someone has declined, said they don't want to talk, or asked you to stop, respect that answer. There is no better wording to search for in that situation.
Refer to something you already discussed
Their message
I'm going to see my favorite band on Friday.
A possible reply
How was the concert on Friday?
Use this only if it matches the conversation and you want to follow up. If you have already followed up without a reply, leave the next move to them.
Moving from a chat to a date
If you want to meet, suggest a concrete plan and leave room for a different time or a no. You do not need to reach a specific message count. Their answer gives you more useful information than trying to calculate the perfect moment.
If you would rather keep talking or have a call first, say that. A useful conversation can end with a clear decision instead of another question.