Response time

[Lynx]

I was reading something in another thread about when (or if) a person replies to text messages. I thought I would start this thread instead of further derailing the other thread.

I started this thread because the topic hits a nerve with me. For a long time I refused to even get a cell phone because people automatically expect you to always be reachable if you have one. If for some reason, Heaven forfend, you should have the unmitigated temerity to turn it OFF for some reason, you get the whole "What's the use having a phone if you never have it turned on?" crap.

These days I have a smartphone, but I don't always answer it if I don't want to. And sometimes I don't reply to a text message if it doesn't seem to need a reply. I'm not the kind of person who sends a text just to say "yeah."

In Japan I would get clobbered, socially. There's a trend among youth in Japan where if you don't reply to a text message within 30 minutes, the next day you are the designated target for teasing at school. Fortunately I'm in the USA and no longer in school. But some adults here get offended if you don't reply to every single text they send. Grrrrr!

So... now that I've ranted, what is your usual answer pattern for texts/forum private messages/facebook comments/etcetera?

 

[Lynx]

Side note: Someone I know just found out that, even though my phone service is out until tomorrow, I can still send a text message. And she can't send one back until I get my service renewed.

 

[blue_ladybug]

I hate texting, i never use my cellphone and in fact it's dead right now..lol.. As for pm's here, I usually answer them as soon as I get them, unless I'm offline.

 

[Willie-T]

I was reading something in another thread about when (or if) a person replies to text messages. I thought I would start this thread instead of further derailing the other thread.

I started this thread because the topic hits a nerve with me. For a long time I refused to even get a cell phone because people automatically expect you to always be reachable if you have one. If for some reason, Heaven forfend, you should have the unmitigated temerity to turn it OFF for some reason, you get the whole "What's the use having a phone if you never have it turned on?" crap.

These days I have a smartphone, but I don't always answer it if I don't want to. And sometimes I don't reply to a text message if it doesn't seem to need a reply. I'm not the kind of person who sends a text just to say "yeah."

In Japan I would get clobbered, socially. There's a trend among youth in Japan where if you don't reply to a text message within 30 minutes, the next day you are the designated target for teasing at school. Fortunately I'm in the USA and no longer in school. But some adults here get offended if you don't reply to every single text they send. Grrrrr!

So... now that I've ranted, what is your usual answer pattern for texts/forum private messages/facebook comments/etcetera?

I hope you're kidding. After only about a month's worth of initially reading every post that came along... I now, don't even open half of them, depending upon by whom they were sent or what the subject is.

 

[Dino246]

I hear you, Lynx. Mind you, the feline species is known for responding to stimuli when they feel like it.

The cell phone which I carry is a tool for me to use, not a leash for others to use. My ex didn't much appreciate that view!

I respond when I want to. Normally that is fairly soon after I receive a message but it depends on what I am doing and what the message is about. Several times a friend has texted about something time-sensitive, and I see the message long after the event has passed. I don't carry my phone with me all the time (especially at home and work) and I won't deal with anything on it while I'm driving (it's illegal here!).

I generally try to respond to private messages within an hour of seeing them, unless they come when I'm off line. Phone messages, same thing, unless there is no need to respond (Hi, you've won an all-expense paid trip to DELETE!).

I don't give out my cell phone to co-workers (my supervisor has it in case of emergency), but my work depends somewhat on telephone usage, so I will usually deal with voicemail immediately.

I use Facebook... infrequently, and I don't get alerts from it. More than once someone has sent a message over FB which I don't see for days. Again, I miss the odd thing because I'm not a social media slave.

So, y'all PM me... I might even get back to you!

 

[blue_ladybug]

*pm's Dino to see how long it takes before he responds back*

 

[Grace-Like-Rain]

I don't text a whole lot, and almost never just for chatting, but I am one of those people who expects SOME sort of reply if I send you a personal text, even if it isn't a direct question. If you were to walk by me and say something, I would reply to you. If you were to call me on the phone and speak to me, I would make a response. If I text you, a response is just the civil thing to do. I don't need it right away, but at SOME point, please! I don't expect people to keep their phones with them at all times, but I know that at some point over the span of two days, you have checked your phone for texts or messages.

I think it's okay to not respond if you've been having a back-and-forth conversation, and it's winding down. Someone has to be the last person to say something. But ignoring initial messages completely is kinda rude unless there's a specific reason for it.

 

[Addison]

Lynx, have you ever heard of Google Voice?

I've been using it for almost 10 years now and have never paid for it's service.

You get free long distance, even to Canada, and unlimited texting.

 

[mochi]

Since i'm living on this sociable environment, not replying text message for few hours even few days means you're ignorant and kinda rude and didnt value the friendship.

I try to reply text message (phone, fb, line etc) whenever i can (usually asap).. when i go and cant reply i will let my friends know that i'm outside, text you later etc.. so they will know that i'm not ignoring them..

Using line, WhatsApp, and other social media makes me know if that person already read my message or not..
My bro just do this to me.. last night i text him asking when he will come to visit home.. but he read only and didnt reply until now.. i know he must be busy with his game.. his game is more important than replying me! his sister!! groaaarrr.. #dramaqueen.. lol!

But.. everyone has their own character.. we need to understand each other character so we wont get offend easily because of that

 

[seoulsearch]

Side note: Someone I know just found out that, even though my phone service is out until tomorrow, I can still send a text message. And she can't send one back until I get my service renewed.

All I can say is, I feel sorry for the poor girl who thought she was going to have a weekend of peace and quiet.

 

[BruceWayne]

While I usually respond as soon as I can if someone texts me, I don't really expect it of others, nor do I see it as a big deal. If someone does take long to respond during an established conversation though, I simply move on and do other things. Texts aren't that interesting to me and if they can't be bothered, then neither can I, so I usually let that particular conversation end.

The only thing that baffles me is when someone initiates a text message conversation, you reply, then they take long to respond. If I start a message with someone else, I make sure that i'm available to respond within a reasonable amount of time.

 

[drulenarendes]

It all really depends on who the person is and what it's about. If it's a close friend, I try to respond as quick as I can. If it's an acquaintance or someone I don't really know, It can take much longer. Generally, the more important the person is to me, the more likely they are going to get a faster response. Of course, and this is true of the other person too, if I initiate a text with them, life happens. We could be working, or right in the middle of something else and can't respond right away. This is understandable, and so a response should never be expected right away, although it's always nice when it is!

 

[drulenarendes]

The only thing that baffles me is when someone initiates a text message conversation, you reply, then they take long to respond. If I start a message with someone else, I make sure that i'm available to respond within a reasonable amount of time.

Maybe that person had to make an emergency bathroom visit.

 

[BruceWayne]

Maybe that person had to make an emergency bathroom visit.

I think texting me is a little more important than that.. I mean c'mon. lol

 

[drulenarendes]

I think texting me is a little more important than that.. I mean c'mon. lol

Maybe that person is a good multi-tasker and can do both at the same time!

 

[egeiro]

I am the worst with response time to facebook messages, emails and texts. I laugh with friends that my average response time is two days.

Sadly, most of my girl friends take text messages quite seriously and will often try to decipher a tone coming through a text. A lot of misunderstandings come through because I am one of those people who text straight to the point.

I only really message to make appointments to see people, I'm no really one to send lengthy texts. I believe the best communication is face to face and I would much rather pour out my heart to people while looking them in the eye as opposed to some words on a screen.

I'm learning to meet people half way and make an effort to text people more, but I don't know, life is short and I don't want technology to steal from me what I could enjoy in the present with that very person.

 

[Roh_Chris]

I am highly responsive to texts on my phone. My response time depends on the extent to which I am involved in the conversation. If the conversation is very interesting, I can continue the chat for even a couple of hours. If I do not respond to texts for more than 24 hours, you can assume that something is wrong.

When it comes to mails and PMs on CC though, it is quite different. I may take a couple of days, or sometimes even longer. I prefer having deep and detailed conversations through emails because I can come back and read through it whenever I want to. I find in-person conversations not ideal for such situations because I tend to forget the details pretty quickly.

 

[seoulsearch]

Lynxsus,

I hope you know I was kidding in my earlier post. Or, I could flood your phone with explanatory texts.

My response time all depends on the level of urgency and my availability. Anything really important, I try to respond right away. Casual texts may take an hour or a day, depending. Like Lynx, I'm one of the last people to get a cell phone, and I still don't have a smart phone because at the current time, I just can't justify the expense. I see texting as a form of communication, not entertainment.

I am also pretty notorious with PM'S and email in that it can take forever for me to write back, but I will, I promise! I answer them in the order they were received (unless it's an emergency) and right now I have emails dating back well over a month. This is because I don't like writing 2-line emails--more like 2 pages--so yup, it's going to take a while.

But the people I communicate and I have a pretty good understanding that we're all busy and there's more to life than social media, such as... actually going out and living life. I remember laughing when a good friend of mine commented on someone she knew who was complaining on FB, "How will I ever get all this laundry done?" and my friend said, "Well maybe if you got off the *censored* computer, you'd actually get something done!"

 

[wwjd_kilden]

I tend to take hours to reply to text messages
People who know me know that, so they call me if it's important

 

[skylove7]

My response to these responds is respond responsibly for an irresponsible response will be responsible when responded respectfully