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[Chiave]

It's a simple question. Not a big deal.

Every time I hear my text ringtone I just assume that it's someone asking me a question, that's usually going to transition into asking for a favor. So I don't reply until later when I remember that I got a text from them. Am I an asshole for doing that?

Example from Thursday:

Some Chick: Hey [Chiave] it's [some chick]...are u home?

Me: Yeah

...

I had company over so I didn't reply until... five hours later. Anyway, I'm only asking this question because a text-a-holic on television said it's rude to not text back.

 

[BertramCooper]

Congrats on the not sex.

 

[RevDM]

So you're mom learned how to text and it's bugging you?

 

[CrazyDogg77]

Yes it is.

 

[shortyme]

Its rude but who cares?

 

[Centurion]

when im sending yes.

when im receiving.... meh.

im an ass

 

[Let me in]

No. If someone needs you urgently they can call and speak to you.

 

[la flama blanca]

I'm going to ignore this thread starting now

 

[butzopower]

I hope not.

 

[remz]

It's rude though I wish it wasn't.

 

[Xeke]

If it's a girl you like never text back immediately. You must wait at least 15-20 minutes.

 

[Shalashaska161]

It is kinda rude. If you're busy or something just send a reply back saying you're busy and you can talk later, then you can just text back whenever you want.

 

[The Technomancer]

I don't think so. Its like email to me. I respond to a text when I get a moment.

 

[rdrr gnr]

I must be the world's biggest asshole.

 

[spindashing]

You ignore them for a few minutes to give the illusion that you're doing something so you can answer with a "oh, I was busy doing X"

Spoiler

/foreveralone

 

[Satch]

it's rude but to be honest most of the people texting me are just saying stupid shit

i respond quickly to things that need quick responses

 

[kittens]

Why not respond right away? Tell them that you're busy, can't really talk, and can/can't make plans later.

 

[Prophet Steve]

I don't know whether rude is the term I have in mind, but you should just check the message and just text back, it isn't difficult and it may be important.

 

[Samara]

I have not replied to someone wishing me happy new year...it's just too late to reply now, right?

 

[Count Dookkake]

No. You don't even have to answer a phone call if you don't want to.

It is even okay to turn off your phone or leave it at home or in another room.

 

[DMeisterJ]

If you know someone is texting you to ask for something, ignoring them is perfectly fine.

I've ignored tons of people texts asking for stuff and I feel no issue doing so.

 

[slit]

I really hate it when i'm driving and someone texts and does it again and again thinking I'm ignoring them. I'M DRIVING IN MY CAR ASSHOLE! Sorry, I'm not available to text you right back at your whim.

 

[ATF487]

Depends on the situation, really, but generally if someone wants to communicate with you and you have the time to answer it, then you should answer them.

 

[big_z]

A lot of people expect immediate response with a cell phone since you have it on you at all times. If you don't text back they get pissy. It's annoying but not my problem they can't put down the phone for a while and keep themselves entertained.

 

[dvolovets]

It usually takes me a few days to reply to texts because I can't stand texting... I guess it's rude, but I don't care, haha. If it's something super important or urgent, I prefer a call or an email...

 

[AdventureRacing]

It is kinda rude. If you're busy or something just send a reply back saying you're busy and you can talk later, then you can just text back whenever you want.

If i'm actually busy then i won't be replying straight away. Isn't that the whole point of a text message anyway? It can be left on your phone and doesn't need to be answered immediately.

If it's urgent they would probably call me.

 

[Toppot]

It depends how urgently they need a reply to a text.

In your case I would of sent a 'I'm busy sorry'. I only ignore a text if its something I'm not interested in which isn't a question nor needs a reply, or I'm actually busy and can't look at my phone, obviously =P

 

[Lebron]

It depends on the person. There's only like three people that I'll respond back as soon as I see their text. Everyone else is a tossup.


But yes, it's rude. Don't care. I also hate when people do it to me, which makes me a hypocrite I know.

 

[BoobPhysics101]

It's definitely rude when the person never texts back at all because not replying back in ANY CAPACITY (as in, not just a few hours later, but ever) is ridiculous: it takes all of 10-15 seconds to write back. I realize it's a different communication medium so a comparison is difficult, but if you say something to me on the phone or in person, I'm not going to NEVER reply to it.

I actually got into a fight with a friend today about this, she said "I'm not obligated to text you back" and I said "And that's one of the reasons you're not only a shitty friend, but a stuck-up bitch." She then went on to accuse me of 'freaking out about it.' Sorry, telling you that you're rude and bitchy because you're "too busy" (a laughable lie coming from her) to answer a text message isn't freaking out, it's just blunt truth.

Texting is probably the worst thing to happen to human communications in a long, long time, especially the way my generation treats it. I'm sad to say that I've got the manners and courtesy to respond to texts from people I claim are my friends, which can not be said of everyone.

 

[The Technomancer]

It's definitely rude when the person never texts back at all because not replying back in ANY CAPACITY (as in, not just a few hours later, but ever) is ridiculous: it takes all of 10-15 seconds to write back. I realize it's a different communication medium so a comparison is difficult, but if you say something to me on the phone or in person, I'm not going to NEVER reply to it.

I actually got into a fight with a friend today about this, she said "I'm not obligated to text you back" and I said "And that's one of the reasons you're not only a shitty friend, but a stuck-up bitch." She then went on to accuse me of 'freaking out about it.' Sorry, telling you that you're rude and bitchy because you're "too busy" (a laughable lie coming from her) to answer a text message isn't freaking out, it's just blunt truth.

Texting is probably the worst thing to happen to human communications in a long, long time, especially the way my generation treats it. I'm sad to say that I've got the manners and courtesy to respond to texts from people I claim are my friends.

...*backs away slowly* I often have my phone on vibrate, and I don't feel it while walking between classes. I check my phone infrequently, so I often go three or four hours before even noticing a new message. And it does take me a bit more then fifteen seconds to respond since I text sparingly, and when I do its usually about important, information dense conversation, not "whats up?" "nm, u?"

 

[Satch]

I actually got into a fight with a friend today about this, she said "I'm not obligated to text you back" and I said "And that's one of the reasons you're not only a shitty friend, but a stuck-up bitch." She then went on to accuse me of 'freaking out about it.' Sorry, telling you that you're rude and bitchy because you're "too busy" (a laughable lie coming from her) to answer a text message isn't freaking out, it's just blunt truth.

noooo, pretty sure that's freaking out

 

[The Return of]

You ignore them for a few minutes to give the illusion that you're doing something so you can answer with a "oh, I was busy doing X"

Spoiler

/foreveralone

hahaha

The only person who told me it's rude was my ex, but she hated when I would take 10 mins to reply to her text despite her not saying anything important, so she doesn't count.

 

[Centurion]

It's definitely rude when the person never texts back at all because not replying back in ANY CAPACITY (as in, not just a few hours later, but ever) is ridiculous: it takes all of 10-15 seconds to write back. I realize it's a different communication medium so a comparison is difficult, but if you say something to me on the phone or in person, I'm not going to NEVER reply to it.

I actually got into a fight with a friend today about this, she said "I'm not obligated to text you back" and I said "And that's one of the reasons you're not only a shitty friend, but a stuck-up bitch." She then went on to accuse me of 'freaking out about it.' Sorry, telling you that you're rude and bitchy because you're "too busy" (a laughable lie coming from her) to answer a text message isn't freaking out, it's just blunt truth.

Texting is probably the worst thing to happen to human communications in a long, long time, especially the way my generation treats it. I'm sad to say that I've got the manners and courtesy to respond to texts from people I claim are my friends, which can not be said of everyone.

you were a little too butthurt, next time keep that anger to yourself, and just shit on them back. you look a little clingy for being pissy about that.

 

[BoobPhysics101]

...*backs away slowly* I often have my phone on vibrate, and I don't feel it while walking between classes. I check my phone infrequently, so I often go three or four hours before even noticing a new message. And it does take me a bit more then fifteen seconds to respond since I text sparingly, and when I do its usually about important, information dense conversation, not "whats up?" "nm, u?"

noooo, pretty sure that's freaking out

Really? It's freaking out to say that after days of a friend not replying?

I would totally understand if someone said the same thing back to me after I was just ignoring them randomly because I somehow think I'm too good or too busy to reply to them over a fucking text message, especially if I try to make the claim that I'm a 'good' friend to them.

you were a little too butthurt, next time keep that anger to yourself, and just shit on them back. you look a little clingy for being pissy about that.

Sorry man, but she is a stuck-up bitch. She's one of those girls who literally believes that regret doesn't exist because she's 'never hurt anyone' and that 'any mistakes made in life aren't worth thinking about'.

Yeah, ok.

 

[slit]

It's definitely rude when the person never texts back at all because not replying back in ANY CAPACITY (as in, not just a few hours later, but ever) is ridiculous: it takes all of 10-15 seconds to write back. I realize it's a different communication medium so a comparison is difficult, but if you say something to me on the phone or in person, I'm not going to NEVER reply to it.

I actually got into a fight with a friend today about this, she said "I'm not obligated to text you back" and I said "And that's one of the reasons you're not only a shitty friend, but a stuck-up bitch." She then went on to accuse me of 'freaking out about it.' Sorry, telling you that you're rude and bitchy because you're "too busy" (a laughable lie coming from her) to answer a text message isn't freaking out, it's just blunt truth.

Texting is probably the worst thing to happen to human communications in a long, long time, especially the way my generation treats it. I'm sad to say that I've got the manners and courtesy to respond to texts from people I claim are my friends, which can not be said of everyone.

Well, maybe she just doesn't like you very much.

 

[j_k_redtail]

If i'm actually busy then i won't be replying straight away. Isn't that the whole point of a text message anyway? It can be left on your phone and doesn't need to be answered immediately.

If it's urgent they would probably call me.

I tend to think that if a person knows you well, they should know whether or not your lack of reply is rudeness or busy-ness.

If they don't know you well, then they really don't have any reason to take offense. If it's urgent, they'll call.

 

[Bloodrage]

Quit making yourself so available all the fucking time, as if you're desperately awaiting texts for a living. Problem solved.

 

[KorrZ]

I don't think so, I ignore texts all the time. It's actually one of my favourite things about texting, if someone is bothering me about something I can just say I didn't see the text right away.

 

[ichigo kurosaki]

I think once you've read whatever messages sent your way (be them sms, email... any form of contact, really), it's impolite not to reply. Not necessarily immediately but at least reply.

 

[Nemo]

If you know someone is texting you to ask for something, ignoring them is perfectly fine.

I've ignored tons of people texts asking for stuff and I feel no issue doing so.

Why not just say no?

 

[Devolution]

My reception sucks and texts go into this weird limbo where I don't always get them, and when I do it's like 2-5 hours later. In other words, don't always assume.

 

[Prophet Steve]

...*backs away slowly* I often have my phone on vibrate, and I don't feel it while walking between classes. I check my phone infrequently, so I often go three or four hours before even noticing a new message. And it does take me a bit more then fifteen seconds to respond since I text sparingly, and when I do its usually about important, information dense conversation, not "whats up?" "nm, u?"

Well, you don't ignore them, you aren't aware of them. One is deliberate, the other one isn't. I have the same thing, I don't always have my cell phone with me, and it's on vibrate so I won't always notice it. But if I notice it I try to reply as fast as I can.

 

[LuchaShaq]

If it's a girl you like never text back immediately. You must wait at least 15-20 minutes.

Yes because anyone outside of bad advice givers from 90's movies give a shit about how long you wait to text back or how many rings before answering.


@OP If someone can't deal with the fact I don't text back/if I do at all it often takes time (if I don't find it important) they can text someone else. Has worked well so far.

If you know someone is texting you to ask for something, ignoring them is perfectly fine.

I've ignored tons of people texts asking for stuff and I feel no issue doing so.

One of the most cowardly things I've read in awhile. "No." Just copy and paste that next time.

 

[baekshi]

I read this post when you posted about a hour ago, but now I am replying to it.

I'm a rude person.

 

[Slavik81]

No. If they need an immediate response, they can call.

 

[kehs]

Why even give out your contact information if you're going to be all douchy about responding?

 

[speculawyer]

Depends on the way you reacted in the past.


I feel it is fine to ignore them. Call me if it really matters.

 

[Count Dookkake]

The only time it is rude is if you had a scheduled meeting or call scheduled and something has altered your plans. Then you should probably respond to explain yourself.

But, really, you're already an asshole for flaking.

 

[BoobPhysics101]

Well, maybe she just doesn't like you very much.

Oh, she does. She's just a bit of a... how do I put it...sociopath

 

[Tomat]

No, I do it all the time, and I'm pretty damn cool.