Someone Said “We Should Hang Out Sometime” — What Do You Say Back?

Quick answer: if you actually want to go, don’t make them guess. Something like: “Yeah, I’d be up for that.”Want to grab coffee next week?” If they mean it, they now have an easy way to say yes. If they were only being polite, their answer will probably stay vague.

“We should hang out sometime” sounds friendly, but half the time nobody knows if it actually means anything. It sounds like a plan. Technically, it isn’t one yet.

Sometimes it really does mean, “I liked talking to you and I want to hang out again.” It can also mean “this was pleasant and I am now ending the conversation in a socially acceptable way.” Most of the time, the annoying truth is that you cannot know immediately.

Don’t spend too much time trying to read into it. Give them something they can actually respond to and see if they mean it.

That is where most almost-plans die. Two people say “we should”, both feel vaguely positive, nobody suggests a day, and the whole thing disappears into the swamp of unread messages.

Bfriendz is built around the opposite idea: real plans, not endless almost-plans. “We should hang out sometime” is only useful if it turns into something small enough to actually happen.

First, work out whether you actually want to see them again. That makes the reply a lot easier.

Not “would it be polite?”

Not “do they like me?”

Not “what if this is awkward?”

Do you want to meet them?

If yes, give them a small plan.

If maybe, keep it soft.

If no, be kind but do not accidentally create a fake plan.

A lot of awkward texting happens because people try to sound chill while secretly hoping the other person will do all the organising. That is how you get seven messages of “yeah definitely soon” and zero actual plans.

If you want to hang out, make it specific

The best response is simple:

“Yes, I’d be up for that. Want to grab coffee next week?”

This works because it does three things at once. It says yes. It gives a low-pressure plan. It gives a time window.

You are not asking for a whole Saturday. You are not proposing a life-changing friendship arc. You are just moving the sentence from “sometime” to “next week”. Other natural versions:

“Definitely. Are you free one evening next week?”

“That would be nice. Want to do coffee or a walk sometime soon?”

“Yes, let’s actually do it. I’m free Saturday afternoon if that works.”

“I’d like that. Want to pick a day before we both forget?”

You don’t have to phrase it perfectly. Name a day or a place and let them answer that.

If you want to keep it just friendly

Sometimes the hard part is not saying yes. It is saying yes without making it sound romantic.

In that case, choose a casual daytime plan and use friend-coded language.

“Friend hangout version: coffee or a walk sometime?”

“Yeah, definitely. A few of us are probably doing something this weekend if you fancy coming along.”

“Definitely. Nothing intense, but coffee or a quick wander would be fun.”

“I’d be up for that. Very normal friend-plan energy.”

This is especially useful if you met through work, a class, a group event or mutual friends. You are making it easy to say yes without loading the message with too much meaning.

If you want more examples like this, read how to ask a new friend to hang out.

If they said it in person

If someone says it while you are both leaving, you have a small window to make it real. You can say:

“Yes, let’s. What are you like next week?”

“I’d be up for that. Should we swap numbers?”

“Actually yes — do you want to do coffee sometime?”

“Let’s not do the thing where we say this and never plan it.”

The last one is better if you already joke around with each other. Otherwise it can come off a bit sharp, like you’re already expecting them not to follow through.

If they texted it

If the phrase arrives by text, you have more room to be clear. A good answer is: “Agreed. Want to do something low-key next week?”

Or:

“Yes. Coffee, walk, market, something easy?”

Or:

“I’m free Thursday or Sunday if either works.”

What you probably should not do is reply with:

“Yeah definitely!”

It sounds enthusiastic, but it puts the whole plan back in the air. Now someone still has to suggest the actual thing. Usually nobody does.

If you are not sure they meant it

You don’t need to play it cool just so you don’t look too keen. You can want to see them again without turning it into a whole thing.

Try:

“Yeah, that could be nice. If you’re serious, I’m around next week.”

“I’d be up for it. No pressure, but coffee sometime?”

“Sounds nice. Send me a day that works for you.”

“If you meant it, I’m free Friday after work.”

That last one’s a bit cheeky. It works better if they already know your sense of humour.

How to tell if they actually want to hang out

Their next message tells you more than the original one. A good sign:

“Thursday could work.”

“Coffee sounds good.”

“I’m away this weekend but free next week.”

“Yes, let’s do it.”

A weak sign:

“Yeah soon!”

“Definitely sometime.”

“Let’s see.”

“I’ll let you know.”

One vague reply is fine. People are busy. Two vague replies usually mean you should stop carrying the plan alone.

You can give one clear option:

“I’m free Thursday evening or Sunday afternoon if either works.”

If they still do not engage, leave it. A new friendship or date should not require project management software.

If you want them to organise it

Sometimes you’re happy to say yes, you just don’t want to be the one organising the whole thing.

That is fair. Try:

“Yes, I’d like that. What kind of thing were you thinking?”

“Definitely. You suggest the place and I’ll show up.”

“Sounds fun. Pick a day and I’m in.”

“I’d be up for it. Send me a plan.”

This keeps the door open without making you responsible for dragging the plan into existence.

If you do not want to hang out

You can be warm without creating false hope. Try:

“Ah that’s kind of you. I’m pretty busy at the moment, but it was nice seeing you.”

“Maybe sometime, but I’m keeping things quite quiet lately.”

“I’m not really making many plans right now, but it was lovely to meet you.”

“Thanks, that’s sweet. I’m not sure I can commit to anything soon.”

You do not need a dramatic excuse. You just need not to fake enthusiasm for a plan you already know you will avoid.

What to suggest instead of “sometime”

The best first plan is short, public and easy to leave.

Coffee works.

A walk works.

A food market works.

A gallery works.

A bookshop browse works.

A casual lunch works.

A board game café works.

A small local event works.

The plan should not feel like a test. It should feel easy to say yes to.

If you need actual ideas, try first friend date ideas or last-minute summer plans to make with new friends.

The best answer overall

The best thing to say when someone says “we should hang out sometime” is:

“Yes, I’d be up for that. Want to grab coffee next week?”

It is not too much. It is not vague. It gives them something real to answer.

If they want to hang out, the plan can start. If they were only being polite, you will probably find out quickly.

Either way, you are not stuck in the world’s most useless social loop: two people agreeing that a plan should exist while nobody actually makes one.

More meeting advice

If you’ve just met someone and you’re not sure what to message next, start with what to text a new friend after meeting them.

If the awkward bit is actually asking them out, try how to ask a new friend to hang out.

And if you’ve got no idea what to suggest doing, first friend date ideas should help.

If you are trying to meet more people in London, start with how to make friends in London as an adult.