I Asked Tinder Matches the First-Date Question Olivia Rodrigo Swears By
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I'm a sex and relationships writer, so it would make sense to assume that I am wildly successful on dating apps. After all, I've written plenty of guides on the best prompt responses for Hinge and tips on the best Tinder bios, too. I should be knocking it out of the park, right? Well, not exactly.
I'm great at suggesting messages for my single friends, but when it comes to my own swiping habits, I often freeze and opt for the ever-dreaded, "How's your week going?" That is, until Olivia Rodrigo sparked inspiration.
Earlier this month, the "good 4 u" singer was featured in a video on the Netflix Instagram page about her dating red flags. She shared that she has "an oddly specific question" she always asks on a first date: She wants to know whether her potential suitors would want to go to outer space. "And if they say yes, I don't date them," she says. "I just think if you want to go to space, you're a little too full of yourself."
Aside from how hilariously random her first-date question is, Rodrigo may be onto something. While I personally want a confident partner, I certainly don't want an arrogant one. Being sure of who you are is sexy, but an overinflated ego is a major turnoff. I wouldn't necessarily write someone off based on their cosmic aspirations, but the idea did make me curious to see what kind of responses I would get if I used this first-date question myself.
I figured asking people on dating apps this question would also be a fun way to share my most irrational fear: I'm convinced that one day, a black hole will appear out of nowhere, and its gravitational pull will trap me and crush my body into a million pieces. (Yes, my therapist is aware.)
As for how my dating-app matches took the question? See the results for yourself.
I Used Olivia Rodrigo's First-Date Question on Dating Apps — Here Are the Results
This Tinder match definitely embraces his inner child — love that for him.
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This Tinder match may just be the coolest person I've met . . . or a giant troll.
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An unexpected response from a Tinder match who probably thinks he's super "unique."
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This Hinge match had a perfectly reasonable, very responsible reply.
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This Tinder match kept things short, sweet, and kept the convo going.
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The Verdict
At the ripe age of 31, I've been online dating on and off for over a decade. I've seen my fair share of first dates, ghosting, situationships, and wild hookups. Thanks to Rodrigo's unique question, I now have a fun new opening line to use on my matches.
Lexi Inks is a lifestyle journalist based in Brooklyn, NY. In addition to her contributions at PS, she is a staff writer on Bustle's Sex & Relationships vertical and a lifestyle news writer for The List.