Hi Gabriel,
Just like you, a good number of people with self-respect give it about 2 or 3 attempts to start a real conversation with someone of interest on a dating app.
By the 2nd or 3rd consecutive 1-3 word answer to a message they sent, they start tuning out and some completely quit putting out the effort to message.
However, it does depend on the level of desperation. There are many guys who never get any responses whatsoever on dating apps.
Even the slightest response, albeit one that is 1-3 words each time, is a refreshing change from getting nothing. Many of these guys will keep it going until the woman gets bored entirely and just stops sending her 1-3 word answers altogether.