San Diego woman’s resolution is to go on 1 date a month. Then a 2am Hinge message from ‘Nick’ proves it’s impossible: ‘They just wanna be pen pals’
Millennials and Gen Z were promised meet-cutes. Instead, they got 2 a.m. “u up?” energy from men who treat Hinge like a long-distance pen pal program.
One San Diego woman thought she was setting a wholesome, achievable New Year’s resolution: one real, in-person date per month. Not a situationship. Not a talking stage. An actual date. Fast-forward to late February, and the only thing she’s collected is a 2 a.m. Hinge message from a man named Nick asking to “spontaneously hang out,” as if romance now requires insomnia and zero planning.
Her comments section then turned into a group therapy session for women exhausted by situationships, low-effort invites, or bare minimum requirements not being met.
What Happened With This Hinge Date?
It seems Seri (@serissnaps) has reached her breaking point. Maybe lasting more than a certain percent of the population, she might have to axe her New Year’s resolution in just the second month. So far, 61,500 viewers have gathered around to listen to her grievances surrounding the 2026 dating culture. The clip’s text overlay reads: “Going on one date a month update: men suck.”
Seri then begins by saying that although it was her resolution, February is nearly ending, and she hasn’t gone on a date yet. Why? Because men like “Nick” exist.
“This is the type of men we are dealing with,” she says as she pulls up a screenshot of their chat log on Hinge. Nick’s message reads, “Hey kinda spontaneous lol but would you be down to hangout rn?” The timestamp? 2:13 a.m.
Seri stares at the camera and says, “Why would I wanna hang out with you at 2 a.m.?”
What is the 2026 Dating Culture?
Seri has strong anecdotal data on what the dating scene looks like just two months into the year. She says men nowadays just want to be pen pals.
She says, “Don’t ask me how my day was. Take me out on a date and then I’ll tell you how my day was while we’re talking to each other in person.”
She says she understands the beginning back and forth, but once the man asks for her number, she expects to be asked on a date next. Seri doesn’t just want to make conversation.
“Maybe this is like an unrealistic standard. I don’t think that it is…” Seri then tells viewers to stay tuned as she’s still going to continue her pursuit of completing her New Year’s resolution.
In the comments, many viewers support Seri’s “pen pal” theory, citing that it happens to them, too. Some say that it’s a staple for Hinge connections as a whole.
The dating app is frequently cited for spawning odd matches with low-effort men or downright creepy guys. The Mary Sue covered a story where a woman matched with a guy who happened to live in her apartment building. They had seen each other a few times before she took the plunge and initiated conversation. However, he messaged her at 4 a.m., asking for a brunch date that same afternoon.
The woman didn’t wake up until it was already the time he suggested they meet. She responded, and that prompted him to cut the connection due to different “communication styles.”
@serissnaps Either ask me on a date or don’t text me lol #sandiegocreator #sandiegodating #datingchallenge #hinge #greenscreen ♬ original sound – serissnaps
Viewers Share Similar Dating Struggles
Seri’s story sparked a fire within countless women with similar dating troubles. One viewer shares, “A man 8 months ago matched with me on Hinge, found out we had mutuals, asked for my number, followed me on Instagram, AND even ran into me irl and still never asked me out.” Seri responds, “NO WAY.”
A second viewer says, “I also hate the constant texting before the first date. Like do you don’t have any friends to talk to?”
“I’ll match with guys on tinder and hinge and they don’t speak???? If they do, I’ll reply then nothing. There’s never any talk of a date. Like why are they on these apps!!!” claims another.
One viewer says, “Wait why is the pen pal part so real. They just wanna text n call all day n do nothing in person.” While another says, “And then they get confused why u don’t wanna see them.”
“Bro this is insane. BRING BACK REAL MEN PLSS,” says another.
One hints that it might not be an age thing. “I am finding men in their 40s talking about spontaneous meet ups instead of planned intentional dates. Exhausting,” she says.
The Mary Sue reached out to the creator via email for comment.
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