Skip to main content

Aziz Ansari and Jimmy Fallon read the worst first texts in relationship history

aziz ansari and jimmy fallon read the worst first texts in relationship history screen shot 2015 06 16 at 6 54 52 pm
The Tonight Show
For all the connectivity modern day technology is meant to have afforded us, it is clear that dating in the 21st century is every bit as bad, if not worse, than it was decades ago. Leaving aside my own disastrous experiences on Tinder, OKCupid, and other such dating apps, it seems that the relative convenience of texting as a whole has really done something terrible to the notion of romance.

During their discussion of Aziz Ansari’s newly released book “Modern Romance: An Investigation,” on Monday’s episode of The Tonight Show, comedians Ansari and Jimmy Fallon took it upon themselves to read from the book some of the worst first texts in relationship history. If you have a weak stomach, be warned — and look away.

First Textual Experience with Aziz Ansari

The book explores at length the novelty of the first text, which Ansari admits, can be daunting, especially for those looking to make a grand first impression on their object of affection. But Ansari soon came to find, “It was really surprising, like, the kind of bozo texts a lot of dudes send because it seems like a really simple thing.” But simplicity has never stopped anyone from making a fool of him or herself, and Ansari asked real people to share some of their worst real first text messages from potential suitors.

“Hi Rachel,” begins one, innocuously enough, “Since I never got a chance to ask you to dance at Marissa and Chris’s wedding (I’m Chris’s old roommate from Purdue…), he and your sister gave me your number. I wanted to say hi and sort of “texty” introduce myself. Haha. :-) Hope you had a great weekend… hope to chat with you soon.”

Uncomfortable and awkward, perhaps, but nowhere near as bad as the next one: “My friend have me this number. Said a smart, pretty girl needed to be taken out to dinner? Where are you wanting to go?”

For more extreme discomfort and horror, watch the full clip, and lament the death of romance.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
AT&T just made it a lot easier to upgrade your phone
AT&T Storefront with logo.

Do you want to upgrade your phone more than once a year? What about three times a year? Are you on AT&T? If you answered yes to those questions, then AT&T’s new “Next Up Anytime” early upgrade program is made for you. With this add-on, you’ll be able to upgrade your phone three times a year for just $10 extra every month. It will be available starting July 16.

Currently, AT&T has its “Next Up” add-on, which has been available for the past several years. This program costs $6 extra per month and lets you upgrade by trading in your existing phone after at least half of it is paid off. But the new Next Up Anytime option gives you some more flexibility.

Read more
Motorola is selling unlocked smartphones for just $150 today
Someone holding the Moto G Stylus 5G (2024).

Have you been looking for phone deals but don’t want to spend a ton of money on flagship devices from Apple and Samsung? Have you ever considered investing in an unlocked Motorola? For a limited time, the company is offering a $100 markdown on the Motorola Moto G 5G. It can be yours for just $150, and your days and nights of phone-shopping will finally be over!

Why you should buy the Motorola Moto G 5G
Powered by the Snapdragon 480+ 5G CPU and 4GB of RAM, the Moto G delivers exceptional performance across the board. From UI navigation to apps, games, and camera functions, you can expect fast load times, next to no buffering, and smooth animations. You’ll also get up to 128GB of internal storage that you’ll be able to use for photos, videos, music, and any other mobile content you can store locally. 

Read more
The Nokia 3210 is the worst phone I’ve used in 2024
A person holding the Nokia 3210, showing the screen.

Where do I even start with the Nokia 3210? Not the original, which was one of the coolest phones to own back in a time when Star Wars: Episode 1 -- The Phantom Menace wasn’t even a thing, but the latest 2024 reissue that has come along to save us all from digital overload, the horror of social media, and the endless distraction that is the modern smartphone.

Except behind this facade of marketing-friendly do-goodery hides a weapon of torture, a device so foul that I’d rather sit through multiple showings of Jar Jar Binks and the gang hopelessly trying to bring back the magic of A New Hope than use it.
The Nokia 3210 really is that bad

Read more