What does 'I didn't want to read and run' mean ?!

[lollipoprainbow]

See it on so many threads, what does it actually mean ?!

When nobody is answering the op, particularly if op's post is serious/upsetting.

@CheshireCats ok that makes sense thanks !

Reading the OP where they might need support, but not wanting to post nothing and just close the thread. Usually offering a kind word.

If an OP posts something quite serious or upsetting, and you read it, and realise OP really wants opinions/support asap. But you don't really have time to put a lot of thought into a reply as you're busy at that moment. But you don't want to ignore a poster in distress. So you put a brief reply, and you explain its brevity by saying you didn't want to read and run. It basically means you're posting a short reply but it's preferable to no reply at all.
That's always been my understanding.

Reading and running is the act of opening a post, reading it and then not responding.

What it says on the bottle

There was an entire thread on this a while back.

People use it when they can’t think of anything to say, but want to OP to know someone has read the OP and cares about whatever it is OP is going through. It’s a small act of kindness.

Though apparently some people interpret it as a self-indulgent, self-referencing comment, but I think that’s way over cynical!

Yeah what others have said above, however, I always read it as 'I've read your post, don't have time to answer you properly as my life is so busy' . Not sure why I do this as I know what it means.