Ignoring Whatapp messages

[octoberbaby2010]

Not really an interesting thread but do you think it's rude to read a message that can be seen as read and not reply? Maybe the one off isn't rude but to ignore it a lot of the time?

If you are ignoring it for a day or so yes. Not if just an hour or 2.
I use my phone as satnav so technically I "read" messages as they pop up. I obviously cannot read them properly or reply though.

I use WhatsApp to talk to my other half as he works away a lot, have done for a few years now. More recently a lot of my friends have moved over to using WhatsApp too, and I’m notorious for not replying. Just because I’m ‘online’ it doesn’t mean I’m available to chat, I do wish there was a way to use it without publicly being online to all of your contacts.

I think people get really overinvested in this...

I'll often read a message as soon as I get it but usually I'm busy at the time so I don't reply (if it isn't urgent). I'll reply later on when I have time, or sometimes a day or so later if I forget. It's not a personal slight.

It's a tricky one isn't it, people get so offended!!
Not sure how to tag people on mumsnet but you can change your settings so others can't tell if you've read it or not xx

Yes I think it's rude if the person's doing it a lot. I had this from a couple of friends. One would reply in say a fortnight if I was lucky and for this and other reasons I dropped her. I'd think the same if someone doesn't reply to texts though. I'd expect a reply within a few days say 75 percent of the time, but obviously make allowances if the person was very busy with work, young dcs etc.

It probably is, yes but I do hate the expectation that i'm available to talk all the time. I put my phone on do not disturb a lot at the moment, as i'm in a fee busy whatsapp groups and it's beyond annoying.

I only reply if I have a response.

I have no regret or guilt and reading a message then leaving it and I'm not really bothered if someone does it to me.

One of my friends is the first to complain if I don't reply straight away, yet always ignores my messages!!

Change your settings so it doesn't show up as read.

No, people have a life and it might not be convenient to reply straight away.

There is a way to do that @FleeceDetective, you can change your settings so that your time stamp is off and you can adjust it so that the sender won't get a blue tick

I think it is amazing how people get over this

Granted I'm kissing 40 so will remember growing up with landlines and no social email etc

I struggle with sensory overload on occasion and honestly if a friend can't wait for a few hours for a reply they are not my friend (having said that I absolutely practice what I preach and wouldn't dream of being narky over a non or late reply )

It could be all sorts , you've read it but need some information to respond (to check your diary or with a partner etc) or your three year old has just thrown up over his favourites train and you are cleaning them up and performing emergency train surgery

Basically just because someone has sent me a message they don't have an automatic entitlement to my time and I have no entitlement to theirs

Most people I know in real life think the same in this and people we have come across who actually get funny about this are considered very odd and quite needy