Buzz
You reached out to a girl to invite her out, and she replied with 'possibly'—what does that even mean, and how should you respond? The key is to consider the context of your conversation, particularly when texting or chatting on a dating app. Once you take a closer look, it's easier to understand what she meant and figure out how to proceed. Keep reading for a complete guide on the potential meanings of 'possibly' and the best ways to respond like a pro.
How to React to 'Maybe' from a Girl
- If you believe she's playing hard to get, send a flirty, teasing text or step up your pursuit. Add some playful emojis like 😉 or 😏 to spice things up.
- If she's really busy, suggest an alternative day when you're free or ask her to let you know when her schedule clears.
- If she appears uncertain, change the subject and keep things light and positive while she decides.
Steps
Playfully flirt with her.
She could be teasing you with a playful 'possibly.' Take a look at your past conversations—if you were connecting and joking around, this might be the case. If she included an emoji like 😉 or 😏, it's a sign to keep things playful. Try engaging in some fun banter to keep the mood light:
- You: “Would you like to grab dinner tomorrow?”
- Her: “Hmm, possibly 😏”
- You: “You do know you don’t need to actually grab it, right? There’s a server who’ll bring it to you.”
- Her: “Well, in that case, sure!”
- Emojis are great for adding a flirty vibe, but be mindful not to overdo it.
Pursue her a bit more.
If she’s playing hard to get, she’s giving you the opportunity to chase her. If she often takes time to reply or uses phrases like 'maybe' or 'we'll see,' she may be trying to appear aloof and desirable. Don’t give up! Keep pursuing her—this phase usually passes in a few weeks.
- You: “How about we grab a drink tomorrow?”
- Her: “Possibly!”
- You: “Let me guess, solving world hunger again? We’ll get together eventually!”
- Her: “If you say so 😉”
Suggest a different time.
Suggest another time if she's busy or unavailable. Rescheduling works best when there's been clear interest in hanging out or you've already built a good connection. Offer her some other days or times to make it easier for her.
- You: “Hey! How about we grab coffee tomorrow morning?”
- Her: “Maybe…this week has been hectic, and I was hoping to sleep in tomorrow.”
- You: “No worries. How about Sunday instead?”
- Her: “Yeah, Sunday works!”
Ask her to keep you in the loop.
If it's time-sensitive, ask when she'll have an answer. This is useful for situations that require a little bit of planning, like reserving a table or buying tickets for a show. While there's no guarantee that she'll respond on time (or at all), you can feel confident that you handled the situation with grace. Try:
- “No pressure, but tickets are on sale until Thursday. Let me know!”
- “Cool, keep me posted! There should still be room at the bar if we get there by 6pm.”
- “Hey, any updates on dinner Friday? Tables are filling up fast.”
Change the subject or wrap things up.
Accept that she's unsure and 'possibly' is her response for now. There could be many reasons for this—she may have a packed schedule, or she might not be certain about how she feels yet. 'Possibly' doesn’t automatically mean 'no,' so don’t stress. Just roll with it—switch topics or conclude the conversation and check in later. Try:
- “Alright, let’s touch base later. Have a great evening!”
- “Okay, hopefully it works out. Did you see that it's supposed to snow again tomorrow?”
- Remember, don’t overwhelm her with constant texts. Just send a few messages a week to show you’re interested without being too much.
Maintain a positive tone in your interactions.
Stay polite and confident while she figures things out. Her 'possibly' could eventually become a 'yes!' if you're patient and understanding, especially if she’s already given a reason for not committing right away. However, if you respond with frustration or sarcasm, she might feel uncomfortable, and that 'maybe' could quickly turn into a 'no.'
- You: “How about we see the new Marvel movie tomorrow?”
- Her: “Maybe. I’m having a tough week.”
- You: “No worries, I totally understand. I hope things improve soon!”
- Her: “Thanks 🙂”
- By keeping your interactions light and pleasant, she’s more likely to stay engaged in the conversation.
Ask what else she has going on.
If you have a good rapport, this can help you get an answer. It’s a direct approach, so use it only if you feel comfortable enough to ask without overstepping. If she doesn’t respond or gives you a vague answer, just let it go for now.
- You: “Hey, what do you think about drinks later?”
- Her: “Possibly.”
- You: “Oh, are you tied up tonight?”
- Her: “Yeah, my sister’s visiting, and I’m not sure when she’s leaving.”
Give her a quick call.
If you’re really close with her, a playful conversation might help clarify things. This approach works best with people you share a strong, positive bond with, like good friends or people you’d like to be more than friends with. Without that connection, it could come off as pushy or out of place. Keep it lighthearted and humorous to create an engaging and fun atmosphere.
- You (texting): “How about Lou Malnati’s for dinner tonight?”
- Her: “Possibly…”
- You (on the phone): “No Lou Malnati’s? Are you kidding? It’s the best pizza ever!”
- Her: “Ugh, I’ve had pizza six times this week!”
- You: “Alright, what’s your pick then?”
- Her: “I could maybe go for sushi…”
- You: “It’s sushi then! Let’s go!”
- Her: “Haha fine! Pick me up at 7.”
Give her some space (for now).
Sometimes, 'possibly' is just her way of saying 'no' without being direct. This often happens when her responses are brief or lack enthusiasm. In cases like this, it’s best to wrap up the conversation politely and take a step back for a while. If she changes her mind, let her make the first move to reconnect.
- 'Possibly' doesn’t have to mean 'no' forever. If you share mutual social circles, you might run into each other again, and things could click. Feel free to reach out later if you think she might be more open to saying 'yes.'
Move on if she’s avoiding giving a clear answer.
It’s unfair to you if she’s being insensitive or ignoring your feelings. Playing hard to get can be fun in moderation, but you deserve someone who values you and makes an effort to spend time with you. Give it a few weeks to see if any chemistry develops. If not, it’s perfectly fine to move on and focus your energy elsewhere.
