Let Your Whimsy Shine: Hinge’s Guide for Fun Conversations and First Dates

In 2026, Gen Z is leaning into whimsy – embracing the unique quirks and playful moments that make them, them. This desire for whimsy reflects a broader cultural shift away from over-seriousness, over-curation and sameness and instead, towards true self-expression. It’s even inspiring the way people approach dating. 

Across culture and social media, people are celebrating the little things that bring them joy, connecting over their niche hobbies and interests, and creating space for play. In the past 12 months, search interest in the word “whimsy” increased by 72%* as people bring this lighthearted energy into their personal lives and their connections with each other. We’re also seeing this trend show up in dating with a 75% increase in Hinge users globally mentioning "whimsy" in their profile Prompts over the past 6 months**.

As daters grow tired of lackluster or repetitive interactions, embrace your unique quirks by building your dating life around your actual interests and passions. Hinge’s Love + Connection Expert Moe Ari Brown, LMFT (he/they) is offering advice to help people let their whimsy shine on their Hinge profiles, in conversations, and on dates with each other. 

Why Whimsy Is Showing Up In Dating Culture

Moe: People are reclaiming something they let go of. We’ve spent decades being taught to optimize, perform, and curate, and at some point, that pressure caught up with us. Whimsy is an antidote to all that and truly invites you to show up as your full self – quirks and all. 

Wanting a serious, committed relationship does not mean dating has to be heavy. Playful and committed are not opposites, and many people have confused the two. You can want something real and lasting and still laugh your way to it. You can want depth and still be silly. So just be you – it’s the best way to stand out!

How To Let Your Whimsy Shine on Your Hinge Profile 

Moe: It’s completely understandable to want to hold back. But here's the truth: the specific passion or interest you're nervous to put on your profile can be a signal for people you’re truly compatible with. Here are tips to open up and let your inner whimsy shine through:

1. Highlight what you’re most passionate about. Hinge’s ‘Your World’ Prompts, co-created with renowned psychotherapist Esther Perel, are specifically designed to help you share the interests that make you, you. “I’m in my element when…”, “I could stay up all night talking about…”, and “You’d never know it, but I…” are especially great options to share your passions. 
2. Bring up your favorite conversation topics in a Prompt Poll: Options like "Let's chat about…" or "Give me your honest opinion about…" let you share three fun convo starters with potential matches. Think: what three things you could stay up all night talking about? Go with those.

How To Make Conversations With Matches More Silly and Playful

Moe: Bring up something you genuinely care about! You get to share your playful and passionate side and give other people permission to do the same. Here are three tips to bring that energy into conversations with your Hinge matches: 

1. Talk about the things that light you up – even if you’re nervous that the other person might think it’s silly or quirky. It can be as simple as asking, “Hey, have you heard of this?” or “Have you ever tried this?” 
2. Share your personal taste – Is there a musical artist, TV show, or video game you’ve been obsessed with recently? The media we love can say so much about who we are, so don’t feel pressured to just say what’s most popular right now. Ask them first – you can discover what you have in common before making space to share, too.
3. Follow your natural curiosity – When someone shares something they love, lean in. Ask what got them into it. Ask what you should know about it if you’ve never tried it. 

How To Plan Fun and Exciting First Dates

Moe: First dates don’t need to feel like an interview or checking boxes. If you’re feeling stuck in the same routine, here are three tips for leaning into your playful side ahead of your next first date: 

1. Make a list of places and activities in your city you've been wanting to try, and suggest one to your match. Is there a museum, a pop-up, a class, or a neighborhood spot you've been putting off? Talk about why you're excited about it. That enthusiasm is real information about who you are. 
2. Make it a team effort. Go to a cooking class where you have to figure it out together, a trivia night dedicated to your favorite topic, or a record store and pick out albums you’d recommend to each other. 
3. Share a hobby or activity you love – or ask them to show you something they’re into. When you’re in a space or creative environment that brings you joy, it opens the door to fun and interesting conversations. Remove any pressure for perfection and try to focus on being present. You don’t have to be a pro to share what makes you happy. 

The Big Takeaway

Moe: I want to leave daters with this: whimsy does not have to mean the absence of intention. Whimsy is the intention to make room for joy.

For too long, people have waded through conflicting narratives and expectations about what dating should or shouldn’t look like. Let whimsy be an invitation to release what isn’t serving you, and realign your dating life around what makes you, you. 

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Methodology

*Search and social volume insights provided using two-year trend data from Keywords Everywhere, a Google search volume analytics platform, and social listening platforms, Brandwatch and YouScan. Compares the past 12 months: February 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026 to the 12 months prior: February 1, 2024 – January 31, 2025. 

**Increase in mentions of ‘whimsy’ on Hinge Prompt responses on profiles globally, comparing the period from September 1, 2025 - March 1, 2026 to the six months prior.