How to Respond to 'What's Up?' on Hinge: Turning Basic Greetings into Engaging Conversations

We've all been there. You match with someone promising on Hinge, excitement builds, and then their first message arrives: "What's up?" Your heart sinks a little. It's generic, low-effort, and gives you almost nothing to work with.

But before you write them off completely, consider this: sometimes people struggle with openers, even if they're genuinely interested in connecting. The good news? With the right approach, you can transform this bland greeting into a conversation that actually goes somewhere.

Why "What's Up?" Messages Are So Common

"What's up?" is the online dating equivalent of small talk at a party. It's safe, non-committal, and requires minimal thought. People send these messages for several reasons:

• Uncertainty: They're interested but unsure how to stand out
• Testing engagement: They want to see if you'll respond before investing more effort
• Conversation habit: Some people start all conversations this way
• Dating app fatigue: After sending dozens of personalized messages with no response, some users resort to generic greetings

Understanding the "why" behind these messages can help you respond more effectively.

Strategic Ways to Respond to "What's Up?" on Hinge

1. Return the question with a twist

Rather than just answering "Not much, you?", add something specific about your day or an interesting thought.

Example: "Just finished a hike that absolutely kicked my butt, but the view was worth it! Currently recovering with some homemade pasta. How's your day shaping up?"

This gives them multiple threads to pick up on and shows you're willing to engage meaningfully.

2. Use their profile as a conversation bridge

One of the best ways to elevate a basic greeting is to reference something from their profile.

Example: "Not much! Just noticed you've been to Japan – I've been planning a trip there. Any recommendations for someone visiting Tokyo for the first time?"

This shows you've taken the time to look at their profile while giving the conversation direction.

3. Ask a playful question

Inject some fun into the exchange with a light-hearted question.

Example: "The ceiling! Sorry, couldn't resist. But actually, I'm trying to decide what to watch tonight. Are you team documentaries or team bad reality TV?"

This approach uses a touch of humor while inviting them to share something about themselves.

4. Share something interesting from your day

Offer a window into your world that can spark further conversation.

Example: "Just had the most interesting conversation with a stranger about whether time travel could ever be possible. Made me wonder what era you'd visit if you could go back in time?"

This response gives insight into your thoughtful nature while posing an engaging question.

5. Use light humor

A bit of wit can transform a dull opening into something more engaging.

Example: "My coffee consumption, my screen time, and apparently my standards for conversation starters! Just kidding. How's your day going?"

The gentle tease acknowledges the low-effort opener but shows you're willing to move past it.

What to Avoid When Responding

While being creative with your response is encouraged, there are some approaches that typically don't lead to meaningful connections:

• One-word responses: "Good" or "Nothing" will likely kill the conversation
• Passive-aggressive comments: Making them feel bad about their opener rarely leads to good conversations
• Oversharing: A paragraph about your life problems can overwhelm a new match
• Being too formal: Dating apps are casual spaces; extremely formal responses can create distance

When to Consider Using AI Assistance

If you find yourself consistently struggling to craft engaging responses to "What's up?" or other basic openers, our tool can help generate personalized conversation starters based on your match's profile. By analyzing profile details, interests, and prompts, it can suggest tailored responses that are more likely to spark meaningful conversations.

Moving Beyond the Initial Exchange

Once you've successfully responded to "What's up?" in a way that invites further conversation, aim to establish a rhythm of questions and responses that gradually increase in depth.

Good follow-up topics might include:

• Recent experiences (trips, restaurants, events)
• Hobbies and passions
• Light-hearted hypotheticals
• Pop culture interests
• Future plans or goals

The goal is to find common ground or intriguing differences that make both of you want to learn more.

Reading the Response: When to Invest (and When to Move On)

Pay attention to how they respond to your thoughtful reply. If they:

• Match your energy: They respond with similar length and thoughtfulness
• Ask follow-up questions: They show curiosity about things you've mentioned
• Share personal details: They offer information about themselves unprompted

These are all signs they're worth continuing the conversation with.

However, if their responses remain brief and generic even after your effort, it might be time to focus your energy elsewhere.

Final Thoughts: It's About Quality, Not Openers

Remember that a great connection isn't determined by who sent the first message or how clever it was. Some amazing relationships have started with simple greetings, while perfectly crafted openers sometimes lead nowhere.

The key is finding someone who matches your communication style and shows genuine interest in getting to know you. Sometimes that person might just need a little help moving beyond "What's up?"

By applying these strategies, you can transform basic greetings into opportunities for authentic connection – and potentially discover someone special in the process.

Looking for more personalized conversation starters tailored to your specific matches? Try our Hinge opener generator to create customized responses based on your match's profile that are designed to spark meaningful conversations.