I don’t think people were meant to be this reachable. If I don’t respond within an hour, I’m seen as rude or distant. Friendships are turning into text response times instead of real connection. I miss when it was okay to just exist without a notification.
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Idk what kind of friends you have but I’ll answer mine anywhere from within 5 minutes to 2 weeks. Its just whenever available and in the mood.
Your friends sound needy
While I don’t think you should have to immediately reply, if you are simply ignoring the text, you’re being rude. It’s also weird to say “humans weren’t meant to be this reachable” just because you don’t like texting. I’ve never known a friendship that relies that heavily on responding back to a text.
No one is forcing you to own or use a phone if you really can’t stand your friends texting you. Sounds so awful, how can you possibly cope???? lmao
Being constantly available via text does get annoying. I go to a family member’s house and they’re on their phone texting most of the time I’m over there. They’re not very present for conversation with the people right in front of them.
A. If I send a meme, no reply needed. Great.
B. If I send a very easy question, “what time are we meeting for dinner on Saturday?” then I probably expect a reply within the next few hours.
C. If I send a very open-ended question, “What do you think about the economy these days? Let’s talk about it?” then I probably either expect a text followup within a few days or maybe a phone call.
I don’t think any of that is unreasonable. The problem is when you start treating B like it’s C, and C like it’s A. Then I feel like you don’t value our friendship.
None of my friends expect immediate responses to texts. It’s always whenever we get around to seeing and have the ability/capacity to respond. We all know everyone is busy.
Sounds like your friends all have way too much time on their hands.
Its a mobile phone. Its meant to be in your pocket. THE ENTIRE IDEA is availability on the move. I get you’re busy sometimes, but other than that – respond. That or get a landline and an answering machine. Nothing drives me more crazy than people who have a cellphone but leave it on their desk while there doing who knows what for me to have to listen to ring / beep / vibrate.
I just want a reply at some point. If it is urgent I do expect a reply in the next few hours, as If like I stopped by your house and slid a letter under your door.
Some people are really needy, which I agree which can be a pain in the ass. I suggest with people who text too much just say “hey I’m a bit busy sorry if I don’t reply fast.” Some are okay with talking all the time, others just prefer to talk in person.
Express your dismay to this person.
Maybe your friends are just rude. The whole benefit of the text is that you can text back whenever you want. It’s a letter. A telegram. A very FAST letter but still a letter.
If they want immediate responses then they should call.
Most modern phones have a mute function, use it and let them know you’re using it. If they make unrealistic demands
That’s why I only maintain friendships that allow me to disappear for one week or two
Just don’t respond. If they make a vague comment like hi what’s up, don’t reply unless you’re in the mood. If they have a direct question or making plans, answer when you’re good and ready. Don’t even make excuses just outright say ‘I don’t want to be chained to my phone’ if it’s an emergency they can call.
no. its saving friendships. being constantly avaible means you are able to be a friend to them, at any reasonabe time. get with the times.
That’s why you have no real obligation to ever reply until later in the day or tomorrow. People shouldn’t expect you to drop everything to hover around your phone.