Dating guide

Dating app conversation starters that get replies

"Hey" gets ignored. A good opener shows you looked at their profile and gives them something fun to answer. Here's how to start, with lines you can steal.

The golden rule: make it about their profile

Pick one specific thing (a photo, a prompt, an interest, a date they're up for) and ask about it. It shows interest and is easy to reply to.

• "Okay, best chai in your city. Go!"
• "Is that you hiking in your third photo? Where was that?"
• "Your toxic trait is my toxic trait. How many books are on your 'reading next' pile?"
• "We both picked a comedy show date. Favourite comedian?"
• "Street food crawl, then dessert. I respect a person with a plan. What's stop one?"

Fun questions that work with anyone

• "Describe your ideal first date in three emojis."
• "What's your most controversial food opinion?"
• "Mountains or beach, and you have to defend your answer."
• "What's a small thing that instantly makes your day better?"
• "What's the last song you had on repeat?"
• "Which fictional character would you be best friends with?"
• "What's something you're weirdly good at?"
• "Pineapple on pizza: yes, no, or it depends?"
• "What's on your travel bucket list?"
• "Best show you've watched this year?"

Keeping the conversation going

• Ask open questions. "What got you into that?" beats "Cool!"
• Share, don't just interview. Answer your own questions too.
• Use emoji and stickers to keep it light.
• Suggest a date after a good back-and-forth. Days of texting can kill momentum.

Let Meetista write the first line

Stuck? In any Meetista chat, tap the sparkle button for icebreakers made from their profile: their prompts, interests, job, city and the dates you both picked. Tap one, tweak it, send it. And with read receipts, you'll see the blue double tick when they've read it.