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The world of modern dating can be cray-cray. More and more, people are turning to dating apps in the hopes of meeting their perfect match, but this doesn’t come without its pitfalls. With the ever-present hookup culture, unsolicited adult pics, catfishing, and profiles that use photoshopped images or filters, online dating is a potential minefield. 

One Reddit user recently turned to the community to ask the question, “People who use dating apps, what is the weirdest message you’ve gotten to start a conversation?”, and the results were truly mind blowing. Keep reading for 31 of the strangest messages online daters have sent as an icebreaker.

More info: Reddit

#1

Zombies pushing through a creepy old door with eerie red light, evoking strange and cringe encounters. Opened our initial conversation on PlentyofFish by asking for my detailed zombie apocalypse survival plan. I fell in love immediately. We've been married for almost 12 years now.

anon , cottonbro studio Report

Trophy Husband
Community Member
10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In related news, they would be good people to know during a zombie apocalypse.

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    #2

    Chicken burrito with vibrant peppers, onions, and rice garnished with lime wedges on a wooden table. My brother sent this girl a message on Hot or Not: "Do you like burittos?" They've been together for 17 years and married for 11 now.

    Henry__Every , Pixabay Report

    #3

    Close-up of eyes wrapped in a brown textured cloth, conveying mystery and intrigue. A friend got the message “Wow. Your eyes could start a cult”.

    pinkynarftroz , Noelle Otto Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's a toss up between cheesy and creepy.

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    #4

    Spotted eel among coral, symbolizing unique and strange encounters in dating apps world. The weirdest first message I've received was "My hovercraft is full of eels", and I can't imagine what sort of conversation she expects if the person she sends the message to doesn't happen to be a Monty Python fan (we're getting old and rare here).

    malsomnus , Jeffry Surianto Report

    Robert T
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mia kusenveturilo estas plena da angiloj. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grA5XmBRC6g

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    #5

    Light switch in off position, symbolizing connection challenges in dating apps. I once got an opening message that said something like “you might not be the prettiest girl on here, but beauty is only a light switch away.” This was over 10 years ago, and I bet that dude is still single.

    Crystaltornado , Tara Winstead Report

    superfluous
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or for a more permanent solution, blind him? What an A*S!

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    #6

    Person peeking through green leaves with a mysterious expression, embodying the strange universe of dating apps. “I want my wife to have your eyes.” I don’t think it was meant like that, but my first thought was that the dude wanted to cut out my eyeballs.

    CurvyCarrots , Noelle Otto Report

    Michelle C
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If taken how it was probably meant, this is a sweet and unique compliment !

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    #7

    Person with sunglasses taking a selfie, reflecting strange and humorous aspects of dating apps. Whenever a girl starts a conversation too [intimately] or wants [intimate pics] right away, I know it's a scam.

    jordan-lakers9394 , Andrea Piacquadio Report

    #8

    Three people in U.S. Army uniforms smiling outdoors, capturing a moment of camaraderie. As a man, I didn't get any opening messages. Got some doozy responses. One that still haunts me is when I sent this woman a nice opening message, talking about some of the things in her profile we had in common and asking a few open ended questions to start a conversation. Her response was: "With all the hot military guys in town, you need to put your aim lower." Then she blocked me. I thought I already had low self esteem, but it took another hit that day. lol.

    TypeGreen51 , Rosemary Ketchum Report

    Strings
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    General rule: when they talk about "hot military guys", they're usually angling to be a dependapotomus

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    #9

    Person with tattoos and rings in handcuffs, standing against a concrete wall, embodying cringe from dating apps. I was on hinge for a while and saw someone had “can’t text/call/meet on weekends because I’m in jail.” I thought this was a joke. It was not. She was doing time on the weekend for assault.

    Exobyter , RDNE Stock project Report

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    #10

    Man at outdoor cafe using laptop, likely exploring dating apps, with a drink on the table. I matched with a guy who taught at my old HS. I was in his homeroom class for 1 year, so we didn't really talk much, but he gave me an entire essay confessing his love to me. He told me how he noticed me but never made the move, and was glad I finally reciprocated.

    panfriedtomato , Andrea Piacquadio Report

    #11

    Smiling golden retriever sitting indoors, capturing a joyful and warm moment. "You're cute , hate dogs though" (I had very my cute dog in a photo).

    DuffNinja , Helena Lopes Report

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    #12

    Cheese with bread on a wooden board, embodying strange yet hilarious pairings, akin to dating app messages. My ex got messaged by the Swiss Cheese Pervert on OK Cupid.

    He started out respectful enough but by the 3rd paragraph was talking about how he likes to [enjoy some alone time] with cheese.

    She told her friends but no one believed her (she blocked him so the messages disappeared) until he started [being a bit too intimate] with cheese in public, got caught and went viral.

    negativeyoda , NastyaSensei Report

    Charles McChristy
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He looks exactly like a guy that would be sc**wing cheese.

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    #13

    A charming house with a spacious porch set in a lush green garden under a clear blue sky. A woman on her first message, which was literally sent just to moan about how I was "in my 30's and didn't own my house", like I could magically find a solution for that. That was all she messaged for, as far as I can tell. Didn't even bother to reply and tell her that I was renting because I'd given my house to my ex-wife rather than fight over it.

    ledow , todd kent Report

    Lotekguy
    Community Member
    Premium
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you'd told her, she'd try to marry you just to get the house in your next divorce.

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    #14

    Man in cap and polo using a tablet surrounded by boxes, representing the universe of dating apps. I’ve been in a relationship for five years but I was regularly on Tinder before that. I had my job title and company on my profile, which back then was an administrative/management job for a UK parcel company. Girl messaged me asking if I could track her parcel for her. I didn’t know if she was joking or not but she just kept asking me weird things about parcels and then blocked me. Forever wondered what was the point?

    Jlaw118 , Artem Podrez Report

    Robert T
    Community Member
    10 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Probably hoping that you had a big package. ;-)

    #15

    Person lying on a couch, looking at a smartphone, thinking about bizarre and cringe dating app messages, city lights in background. I was on Bumble, and got asked my Myers Briggs personality type. When I responded, she unmatched immediately. Gotta respect the hustle.

    chromane , mikoto.raw Photographer Report

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    #16

    I can't tell who this is, but it's a black-and-white photo of a young person smiling, wearing a collared shirt and jacket. ‘Hi there! You look like Anne Frank’ 🙁.

    Discotraxx1990 , Photo Collection Anne Fra Report

    #17

    A woman using a phone near a lake at dusk, highlighting the universe of dating apps. A girl matched with me and messaged me that “She’s older than me and men’s egos are very fragile”. No idea how she thought that was gonna go..? She was a year older….

    fishsix , Becca Tapert Report

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    #18

    Man in checkered suit sitting on bench, adjusting tie, representing strange and cringe dating app encounters. "You want to be my first dark skin ;)?" Some gay dudes really have no shame.

    Karakara16 , nappy Report

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    #19

    Stack of open books with pages fanned, showcasing knowledge and exploration. My buddy got a self-esteem slaughterer of a response once. He asked her about the book series she mentioned in her profile. She replied, “Too far. Too fat.” And that was it. Killer.

    ThingCalledLight , Pixabay Report

    #20

    I'm in the UK and my profile picture was me cuddling a tiger. I got a few matches from places like Philippines and Thailand - or perhaps, the tiger did.

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