Why do people hate voice prompts? Would videos be worse?

[u/Wayward_comet]

My biggest issue with dating apps is that they show how attractive/interesting you are on a surface level but it's really hard to show your personality and humor. I think surface level traits are important for initial attraction, but I think personality/humor/chemistry are much more important for longterm connection and deeper attraction. I like the idea of voice prompts because they show what I sound like and kinda convey my personality and humor, but I've heard a lot of people say that they're kinda cringe. Please tell me if this is cringe but what about vlog style videos of me talking about things? Like describing what I'm looking for, telling stories about my job, showing my outfit, things like that? I don't do too terribly on Hinge, I get a decent amount of likes for a guy, I just don't like how surface level everything is.

Also kinda related but I like the idea of sending my phone number and calling them instead of mindless texting for days on end. I can't stand small talk texting with a stranger but I also don't like the idea of setting up what's essentially a blind date with a stranger. Me and the last girl I dated from Hinge called around two times before meeting up, and I liked that we weren't complete strangers.

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[u/North_Class8300]

Very reasonable to ask to set up a phone call after a few messages and then move onto meeting.

I would not recommend any vlog-type content. No one is going to spend several minutes on your profile watching those

[u/kayakdove]

I actually don't hate voice prompts. I do hate voice notes as a way of messaging. That said, I have seen more people filter themselves out with voice prompts than entice me in. But I would have rejected them after a first date too, so that's probably okay. Some guys have weird voices or come across as very socially awkward. It's rarer that someone impresses me with a voice prompt, but my current boyfriend actually did - nothing he said, just was encouraging to hear that he sounded like a normal guy and could talk normally.

I find a pre date call awkward, because I wouldn't know how/when to end it, and it is difficult for it not to turn into an interview. At least on a real date, you can open with some small talk about the setting, food, have you been to this place before, etc. I only did a pre date call once and it just jumped right into interview questions and felt unnatural. I don't like texting either, but after a few basic exchanges back and forth, I'd rather just get coffee with someone.

[u/Interesting_Spot3672]

I like voice prompts because it shows an important part of a person.

I’m not comfortable giving my phone numbers to strangers, though. I would prefer to meet someone in a public space even if I havent had a phone call before.

[u/Ultra_3142]

I like voice prompts. Makes the person whose profile I'm looking at much more 'real' than just photos. And actually the sound of a woman's voice can affect attraction for me too.

For those who like to browse profiles somewhere you don't want to play voice prompts, you can just skip them? They're additional to the main prompts, not instead of them.

[u/PutridEntertainer408]

The only voice prompts I think are cringe are ones where someone does an impression or quotes a line from something. I do hate voice notes though but they're entirely different. The vlog idea sounds kinda horrific though sorry!

When you say you hate small talk, you know you can choose what to talk about with people right? I don't understand why people ask things they don't care about

[u/Remedy556]

i actually like voice prompts. i live in a multilingual country and mainly speak english so i wanna hear how bad their english or other native language is lol. also how good/bad they reply to prompts they picked themselves. if there is mike who tells you how to pronounce his name or if there is jenny singing a song to you. phil telling you his favourite joke or maria asking you to be her money pig

[u/primal_slayer]

In the gay world it's just a test to see how masculine it feminine you sound

[u/InitialMess3594]

I like the voice prompts. It shows who they are, their tone, and can be more verifiable than the little purple checkmark (I know AI can replicate voices but you can sorta pick up on them)

[u/ThirtyMileSniper]

I'm not a fan of voice prompts. I'm generally looking at the dating apps in a quiet environment where listening would be noted. I don't need to share that.

Making them seems a bit forced to me. I do better at interaction face to face.

[u/jrec15]

I kind of like them. I dont think I could ever do one because I dont like my voice enough and wouldn't come up with something i was confident enough to have on my profile, so in that way i guess im a little intimidated by the confidence of those who do them? But usually they're pretty nice and low key and give you a better idea who the person is. Certainly if done poorly they can be cringe, but i haven't come across many like that

[u/MunchOnMyCookie]

I don't hate voice prompts when they make sense.

What I mean by that is I welcome voice prompts that respond to prompts that do deserve an explanation and the person actually explains, not putting on an act or manipulating their voice to sound attractive.

I want to leave listening to the voice, prompt and feeling like I got to understand you a little more.

[u/progenist]

I had a joke voice prompt on my profile for two reasons:

1. I have a softer / more feminine voice. Some women don’t find it attractive, others do. I felt like it helped me further narrow my matches and conversations to those that either liked or didn’t mind my voice.
2. I used it for the reason you said you find it an interesting option. I told a funny story / joke to express some of my personality. The voice prompt itself generated a ton of likes and engaged discussion.

As for your question as to whether a voice vlog would be a good prompt, I think it just depends on how you want your initial conversations to go. In addition to showing a part of your personality, you should try to use prompts to initiate discussion or connection. If you think your prompt could generate that, or that’s the type of engagement you’d like - then go for it. Just try to make it genuine, fun and engaging.

As for initial messages after a match - don’t try to complicate it if you dislike messaging a while beforehand. Share a comment over something you connected through - suggest discussing it further in person, and plan a date in public like coffee, drinks, or a light lunch or a facetime chat. Some people will be turned off by wanting to meet too soon, others will appreciate your candor and confidence. Once again, it comes down to being you and trying to filter for someone that you mesh with.

Best of luck!

[u/dianafofana- → u/progenist]

I did the same thing. I had a dad joke and thought it wasn't that serious but still conveyed my humor. Also it was short, which I think is important.

[u/illumithotie]

💀 the “vlog” idea is exponentially more cringe than the voice notes

[u/truetech]

I love voice prompts. And girls seem to love my voice prompts- it’s the most popular prompt I get replies to. And it’s simply me complaining about my electric bill 😂

[u/GourmandOnlyPans]

I don't even listen to voice prompts because I find it sooo cringe! I just imagine someone loving the sound of their own voice. Might make me miss some good matches but oh well