Have you ever been in a situation where a guy calls you “babe,” and you’re left wondering what it really means? Don’t worry; you’re not alone! We conducted a survey just for you to uncover the truth behind this common question. Let’s dive into the results and see what girls like you think about being called “babe.”
Survey Questions: What It Means When A Guy Calls You Babe?
We asked girls about their thoughts and experiences when it came to being called “babe” by a guy. Here are the questions we asked:
- Have you ever been called “babe” by a guy before?
- How did you feel when he called you “babe” for the first time?
- What do you think it means when a guy calls you “babe”?
- Do you think being called “babe” is a good thing or a bad thing?
- Would you be comfortable calling a guy “babe” back?
Survey Results: Let’s take a look at what the girls had to say:
- Experiences: 87% of girls surveyed said they’ve been called “babe” by a guy before. So, it’s a pretty common thing!
- Feelings: When asked how they felt when called “babe” for the first time, responses varied. Some said they felt happy and flattered (45%), while others felt confused or unsure (32%). A few even said they felt uncomfortable (23%).
- Meaning: Girls had different ideas about what it means when a guy calls you “babe.” Some think it shows he likes you (53%), while others think it’s just a friendly thing to say (32%). A few girls mentioned that it could be a red flag if it feels weird or too soon (15%).
- Good or Bad?: Interestingly, opinions were split on whether being called “babe” is a good thing or a bad thing. 52% said it’s a good thing because it shows affection, while 48% said it depends on the situation.
- Comfort Level: When asked if they would be comfortable calling a guy “babe” back, responses varied. 60% said yes, they’d feel okay with it if they liked the guy. However, 40% said they wouldn’t feel comfortable with it, especially if they weren’t sure about their feelings
So How Do You Respond when you receive a Hey Babe Text?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Here’s a breakdown to guide you:
New or Early Dating: If it’s new or casual, a simple “Hey!” or “What’s up?” keeps things neutral. You can gauge if he uses pet names often, or if it feels right for you.
Established Relationship: If you’re already using pet names, fire back with a sweet “Hey babe!” or a playful emoji.
Uncomfortable with “Babe”: If “babe” isn’t your thing, be honest! A gentle “Hey [his name]” or “Hey there!” sets the tone.
55 Ways to Respond to “Hey Babe” in Text
I have responded to a lot of hey babe or hi babe messages in my romantic life, and I noticed that I didn’t respond the same in different situations. That is why I am sharing different text responses that you can share in response to hey babe, in different situations:
When Busy:
- “Hey! Work is crazy right now, but I miss you! Talk soon?”
- “Hey babe! Swamped at the moment, but thinking of you. Can we chat later?”
- “Running around like a crazy person, but I’ll text you when I have a sec! “
- “Just saw your text! Deep in [project], but will message you when the dust settles.”
When Sad:
- “Hey [his name]. Not really feeling myself today. Wanna chat later?”
- “Hey babe. Feeling a little down. Can we cuddle on the couch tonight?”
- “Hey there. Not in the best mood, but your text made me smile. “
- “Hey babe, could really use a hug right now. You free to chat?”
When Sleepy:
- “Hey babe! Just crawled into bed. Can we chat in the morning?”
- “Hey sleepyhead! Me too! Sweet dreams! “
- “Hey [his name]. So tired! Can we talk tomorrow?”
- “Oof, eyelids getting heavy! Talk to you in the morning, babe?”
When Stressed:
- “Hey babe. Feeling overwhelmed right now. Talk later?”
- “Hey! Work is stressing me out! Need a hug! Can you come over?”
- “Hey there. Feeling stressed, but your text made my day a little better. “
- “Hey babe, drowning in deadlines! Wanna be my stress relief later?”
When Anxious:
- “Hey babe. Feeling a bit anxious about [topic]. Can we talk?”
- “Hey [his name]. Having a bit of an anxious day. Can you distract me?”
- “Hey there. Feeling nervous about [topic]. Your voice would calm me down. “
- “Hey babe, not feeling my best today. Sending me a funny meme might help!”
When Relaxed:
- “Hey babe! Just relaxing at home. What are you up to?”
- “Hey! Finally got some downtime. How about you?”
- “Hey there. Feeling chilled and happy. Wanna chat or video call?”
- “Hey babe, world on hold for a minute. What are you cooking up today?”
When Romantic:
- “Hey babe! Thinking about you and missing you already.”
- “Hey [his name]. Can’t wait to see you later! “
- “Hey there. Just daydreaming about you. What are you up to?”
- “Hey babe, got butterflies thinking about you. What are you wearing tonight?” (teasing)
When Playful:
- “Hey babe! What trouble are you getting into today?”
- “Hey [his name]! Is this your way of asking for pizza later? “
- “Hey there. Got your ‘hey babe’ text! Now what mischief are we planning?”
- “Hey babe, on a scale of 1 to 10, how much trouble do you need me to bail you out of today?”
In General:
- “Hey babe! What’s going on?”
- “Hey! How’s your day going?”
- “Hey there! What’s up?”
- “Hey babe! Miss you! ” (use sparingly if you haven’t seen him recently)
- “Hey [his name]. Thinking of you. “
- “Hey! Just saw your text. Will respond fully when I have a sec!”
- (Emoji reply only): (use sparingly, especially early on in dating)
- “Hey babe, what gif best describes your day so far?” (ask for a funny GIF)
Finally, I’d love to give you some relationship tips when responding to such romantic messages:
1. Match his energy:
This is all about keeping the vibe consistent. A short and sweet “Hey!” back shows you acknowledge his text without needing a full conversation starter. If he dives into a topic, like “Hey babe, what are you up to tonight?” you can jump in with an enthusiastic reply that keeps the conversation flowing, like “Hey! Thinking about grabbing some pizza. Wanna join?”
2. Flirt back (if you’re feeling it):
This is your chance to playfully return the energy. If you’re comfortable with pet names and the mood strikes, a flirty response like “Hey handsome, what’s going on?” lets him know you’re interested. You can even add a cheeky emoji like a to up the flirt factor.
3. Set boundaries:
It’s totally okay to not be a pet name person! If “babe” makes you cringe, a gentle but direct approach works best. A text like “Hey [his name] is great! Just FYI, I’m not a big pet name person.” lets him know you appreciate the sentiment but prefer something different. This keeps things honest and avoids any confusion.
4. Open a conversation:
This is a great way to turn a simple greeting into a chance to connect. “Hey babe! What’s keeping you busy today?” shows you’re interested in what he’s up to and opens the door for him to share details. This can spark a conversation that goes beyond a brief exchange.
5. Use emojis:
Emojis are like tiny conversation starters! A simple smiley face shows you’re happy to hear from him, while a playful wink can add a flirty touch. Emojis can lighten the mood and add personality to a short reply, especially if you’re keeping things casual.
6. Wait and see:
There’s no pressure to reply instantly, especially if it’s just a lone “hey babe.” Take your time to respond when you’re free and have the headspace to chat. This avoids feeling rushed or pressured to keep the conversation going if you’re not ready.
7. Ignore (as a last resort):
This should be a rare option. Ignoring a text, even a “hey babe” one, can come across as rude or dismissive. However, if you’ve previously discussed your discomfort with pet names and he continues to use them, ignoring might be your only option. But remember, it’s always better to have a clear conversation first if possible.
As a married wife, founder, and editor of SpouseMag.com – these guides are based on my own personal experiences, observations, research and insights. I am transparent about being inspired by the life and work of the two greatest experts in the relationship space – Dr. John and Julia Gottman, and Harville and Helen. They two are some of the strongest couples, researchers, authors, and counselors when it comes to marriage and relationships. My advice and guides are based on my insights and research, and they are not an alternative to professional advice.