The age-old conundrum: what to say when someone you haven’t spoken to in ages sends you a casual Hey, stranger text. It’s a friendly greeting, but one that can leave you scrambling for a response that’s equally casual yet shows you’re interested in reconnecting.

The key to responding to Hey, stranger is to keep it light and easy, while also conveying that you’re happy to hear from the person. You don’t want to come across as too eager or desperate, but you do want to show that you’re open to chatting and catching up.

Here are some strategies and example responses to help you navigate this situation:

The Casual Response

If you want to mirror the casual tone of the original message, you can respond with something similar:

Hey, long time no talk! How’s life been treating you?

Stranger no more! What’s new with you?

Hey back at ya! What’s been going on?

These responses acknowledge the stranger greeting while keeping the tone light and friendly. They also ask a question, which encourages the other person to share more about their life and can help get the conversation started.

The Humorous Response

If you want to add a bit of humor to your response, you could try:

I think I like being a stranger. It’s a nice change of pace.

Stranger danger! Just kidding, it’s great to hear from you.

Long time no talk, but I’m pretty sure we’re still strangers in real life, right?

These responses use humor to deflect the awkwardness of reconnecting with someone after a long time. They show that you’re willing to poke fun at yourself and the situation, which can help put both parties at ease.

The Catch-Up Response

If you want to dive right into catching up, you could respond with:

So, what have you been up to all this time? Any new adventures?

How was your year/summer/winter? Any highlights or lowlights?

I feel like we left off in the middle of something. What’s new with work/school/life?

These responses show that you’re genuinely interested in the person’s life and willing to take the time to catch up. They also give the other person a chance to share their updates and news, which can help revive the connection.

The Personal Touch Response

If you want to add a personal touch to your response, you could try:

I was just thinking about you the other day! What’s new with you?

I saw something that reminded me of you and thought I’d say hi.

I’ve been meaning to reach out and see how you’re doing. How’s life been?

These responses show that you’ve been thinking about the person and are genuinely interested in reconnecting. They also add a personal touch that can help revive the connection and make the other person feel valued.

In conclusion, responding to Hey, stranger is all about finding the right tone and balance between casual and interested. By using one of these strategies and example responses, you can help revive the connection and start a new conversation that’s both fun and meaningful. So go ahead, take a deep breath, and hit send – the conversation is waiting!

Be kind ❤