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One of my biggest pet peeves is being left on read. It annoys me because it’s not something you could ever get away with doing in person, yet it’s surprisingly normal online. 

Let’s imagine this for a second: you walk up to someone, ask them a question and instead of answering, they simply walk away without a word. You’re left standing there, staring at a blank wall. That’s kind of how being left on read feels like. 

For everyone who argues that texting is a valid form of connection, I agree. It’s easier, reliable and certainly more convenient than sending a letter via pigeon. But when it ends before it can really start or abruptly halfway through, I can’t help but wonder whether it’s too easy. Too easy to ignore or take for granted. 

Texting even gives you the time to think about your answer. It’s not like you blurt out the first thing that comes to your mind, so why choose not to respond entirely? It’s just another unnecessary thing for the other person to inadvertently worry about until you speak to them again.  

Sending someone messages may not feel as personal as talking to them in person, but at the end of the day it’s still the same person’s efforts and words translating onto the screen. Replying back or responding on time may not seem like a very big deal, but I think it leaves the person with a sense of closure and comfort. Kind of like the feeling you get when you see someone laughing at your joke, smiling when they see you or even nodding their head. 

Forgetting to respond every once in a while is understandable, but making a habit of it just makes the other person question how much you truly value them. This may not be true, but you also can’t help but wonder. After all, it’s the thought that counts, right?