Even Good Friends Can Be Bad Texters
The time someone takes to reply may say little about your relationship.
In a recent Atlantic essay, writer Julie Beck encourages readers to forgive those who are sometimes bad at texting. Beck herself admits to leaving messages unanswered for days or even weeks at a time, not due to a lack of caring, but because she often gets distracted, feels burned-out, or simply forgets. Despite this, a delayed reply can be misconstrued as indifference in a culture that expects constant connectivity.
While texting has made staying in touch more effortless, it has also transformed communication into an almost constant obligation. According to Beck, a third of Americans feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of texts they need to respond to. The pressure to respond promptly has grown exponentially with technology, amplifying both societal expectations and the anxiety that accompanies meeting them.
Beck argues that being a good texter does not equate to being a good friend. Someone who takes days to reply may still be the first one to show up when you truly need them. Therefore, the next time a friend leaves you on read, it may be beneficial to extend them the benefit of the doubt. If you find yourself with an increasing number of unanswered messages, consider granting yourself some leniency as well.
Written by urgent.news from The Atlantic's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
