I Used Olivia Rodrigo’s First-Date Question on Dating Apps

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.

This Tinder match may just be the coolest person I’ve met . . . or a giant troll.

An unexpected response from a Tinder match who probably thinks he’s super “unique.”

This Hinge match had a perfectly reasonable, very responsible reply.

This Tinder match kept things short, sweet, and kept the convo going.

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.