“ Didn’t Want To Read & Run”

[RabbitsRock]

Please please stop posting this! It’s pointless! The OP would have no idea if you had just read their post without commenting or not! The phrase drives me crazy! Comment or don’t comment!

But sometimes, if you're absolutely desperate in the middle of the night, just knowing that there is someone else out there who knows about your situation can be enough to give you some hope.
Just knowing that others are awake and out there, or that someone has seen that you are in trouble can give a measure of peace, until others with useful information can see your message.

i don’t agree OP sorry. I mainly see this on a sad or desperate thread, and the person who ‘didn’t want to read and run’ is just showing support but not sure what to say. If nothing else, it is bumping the thread meaning others with the ecperience or knowledge to help are more likely to see it

Stop being bossy. People can reply whatever they like

This. It shows the OP someone has noticed them.

I fully disagree OP. It's not about telling them your thing. It's about telling them they're not alone and someone's here even if that someone hasn't the time to say much. It also bumps the thread for other people to see so someone can give more detailed advice/support who might not have seen it.

I used to belong to a forum that showed how many times a post has been read and it was about 100 times more than the number of comments!

Absolutely hate this especially when they then post a huge reply. It sounds rude, like their time is more valuable then theirs.

Lol it drives me mad too.

Especially when they don't say anything of any value, such as "Didn't want to read and run but I'm sure someone will be along to advise you soon".

I've only ever seen it on Mumsnet.

I agree with the OP, it really grates on me. Just post a few lines if you don’t have time. It’s a self indulgent unnecessary phrase.

I does bump the thread but the cynic in me sees it as place marking for later.

Especially if the thread has only just been posted, so doesn't need bumping.

Didn't want to read and run but I'm sure someone will be along to advise you soon

This

I think it’s used in the majority of cases when the OP sounds quite desperate for support and may be waiting moment to moment to see if any support is coming/ to feel less alone. I read it as a statement of caring.

But if the poster doesn’t know the answer someone desperate is seeking, and no one else has replied, it bumps the thread, making it more likely to be seen by someone who can speak to the topic. I mean, it’s not that complicated.

Sometimes a thread has no replies, and a few posts will increase the traffic to it.

Can’t you just say that you are there to listen to their worries?

I completely disagree. It’s an expression of sympathy even though the person posting can’t think of any constructive advice. When it was said to me (changed username as it was so embarrassing) I felt comforted that others understood what I was going through and sympathised.

Why wouldn’t you just ‘watch’ the thread in that case?

Well that's another MN mystery.

So many people don't use the watch function.

It’s not being bossy. It’s just that it’s a pointless phrase. It’s good that people are trying to give comfort but why not say something like “Thinking of you”. As I said, the OP has no idea whether someone has read their thread unless that person posts on it so equally they wouldn’t know if that person had “ read & run”! It’s just daft!

It irrationally annoys me too. It seems unnecessary. The few words the person writes after it would have been enough. it annoys me in the way that some people write “dear reader” within their post. Grating.

It bumps the thread up so other posters, who might be able to help, can see it. Just watching the thread won't do that. OK, the expression itself is annoying, but it lets the OP know they aren't alone.

No it isn’t pointless. It’s a sign of (virtual) human acknowledgement and connection.

I have no idea why those particular words irritate you so much, but surely the important thing is whether they irritate or comfort the one on the receiving end.

But equally you could type anything. I think people write 'don't want to read and run' because it acknowledges the post, shows that they've read it but don't have any actual advice to offer and it's just a convenient form of words to use. You'd probably be just as annoyed if people started putting 'Noted' or 'Seen but no advice'. DWTRAR implies a degree of empathy with the poster.

Totally agree! If you want to show you care, then say something else.