Guide · 4 min

What to say instead of “hi”

“Hi” asks for work with nothing to grab. A specific, easy question gives the other person a way in — or a reason to skip, which is also fine.

Lines that usually work

• What are you supposed to be doing right now?
• What did you eat last, and was it a mistake?
• If I handed you a plane ticket for tomorrow, where would you go?
• What song have you overplayed this month?
• Are you a morning person, or is that a myth people tell employers?

If you added an interest

Use it. “You typed guitar — electric or embarrassing acoustic?” is better than pretending the tag was decoration. Specific beats popular: a niche word starts fewer chats, but they last longer.

If they answer with “hi” back

Ask one more real question. If they still give you nothing, tap Next. You do not owe a dead chat your evening. Read when to leave.