A Gen Z woman who went on a date with a 35-year-old man can't figure out what his text mean. The whole situation has her wondering: "Is he just 35 or am i not getting a second date?" The woman, Elizabeth Castaldi, 27, showed some of their text conversations to her TikTok followers so they could weigh in on whether she was dealing with communication issues because of a generation gap or because the man she went out with is just not that into her.
She first shared a video that showcased the initial text her 35-year-old date sent after they went out.
"Hey, had fun last night. Have a good day," the text from the man read. Elizabeth looked baffled as she showed the text to her followers. But some people who commented on the video could not see the issue with the text the man sent, suggesting that generational differences in texting habits are a real thing.
"Me, unironically, texting this exact thing to show I’m interested but not trying to sound desperate," one person commented.
Another said, "I realized I was old when I didn’t see an issue."
"Seem entirely normal," one TikTok user assured her. "I’m 40 ."
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One millennial pointed out that it actually seems like a nice text: "34 Millennial here! That’s actually a sweet text…I think."
But many did see the issue — though some said he was simply texting that way because he's 35, not because he's uninterested.
"Try dating a 40 year old, they text like they’re emailing ," one person commented.
For those who don't see what the problem is, several TikTok users spotted issues with the text right away:
"The lack of emojis and exclamation got me overthinking ."
"‘have a good day.’ is crazy."
"It’s the periods for me like why u so ANGRY."
While some believed that the man might text that way because of his age or his personal preference, others told the woman that she shouldn't settle.
"Nah mine was 36 & still used all the cute emojis with enthusiasm," one person commented. "Date the ones who match your energy ."
"Nope I’m talking to a 36 year old and he sends detailed texts and asks me questions non stop," another person advised. "Don’t settle ladies!!"
Since TikTok users were pretty divided on whether or not the man seemed interested in her (or just 35 years old), Elizabeth continued to share screenshots of their conversations.
First, she shared the message she sent back to him, in which she decided to "mirror him" and match his energy: "Me too! Hope your day is going well."
Some TikTok users called her response "just as bad" as his original text.
The final texts Elizabeth shared made some think that the man is simply not interested. She texted him letting him know that she wanted to see him again, and he responded to let her know that "next week may be a little crazy" because of work. He suggested that they "play it by ear a little."
While Elizabeth's texts included emojis and seemed friendly and enthusiastic, the 35-year-old man's responses were relatively short (and, of course, lacking emojis and enthusiasm).
While several people said the man did not seem interested after they saw that text exchange, others still couldn't comprehend his texts.
"…. I still can't tell if he's not into you or just old ."
Regardless, the videos started a conversation about how texting habits can vary by age.
"Had a 35 year old tell me it was 'great to connect' and we should 'stay in touch' after a date," one person commented on one of the videos.
Many others chimed in with:
"If he texts like my dad it’s a green flag ."
"Older dudes texts are my favorite lol."
"Me trying to decipher a 37 year olds texts right now…. So it’s not just me??? ."
"I have never felt more validated by a tiktok in my life (my bf is 32 and hates texting, esp at work)."
